I’m all for swapping 100 terrorists for one citizen. Kidnap one citizen. We kill 100 Hamas operatives. Free one citizen. We return the bodies of the dead Hamas operatives. Negotiate? Convince us not to wrap their remains in pig skin by returning them alive.
I’m sure the Israelis have some general intelligence on who is involved in the kidnapping. Find some Hamas prisoners from that neighborhood and surrounding areas.
Release a list of these prisoners stating they have been found guilty of their crimes and sentenced to execution in 48 hours. State their executions may be stayed if the kidnapped citizens are released without harm. Surely somebody on the kidnapper side will come forth with information, or put pressure on the kidnappers to release. Make them enemies in their communities, rather than allowing them to make enemies of the Israelis.
I understand it probably wouldn’t work that way with their mindset, but it’s worth a try and could avoid bloodshed. Don’t let the terrorists free, though, just grant them continued life.