[El Gato]

The goal is to avoid using the GIGN, using the threat of an attack to convince the terrorists to let their hostages go without bloodshed.

I'd just as soon the French had shut up, shot, and shoveled. (Well since it's a Maritime gig, they could dispense with the shoveling, just shove the bodies overboard, weighted down with their ship's anchor chain.)

[Alter Kaker]

I'd just as soon the French had shut up, shot, and shoveled.

Ok, but your family isn't on that yacht. The French want their hostages back, alive, asap. The easiest way to do that is to persuade the terrorists to let them go. If that doesn't work, they'll go in guns blazing.