To hold off the ground troops.
Correct. They release two as a gesture and expect a gesture in return. They want to trade hostages, it should be for humanitarian aid. Humanitarian for Humanitarian. Not hostages for peace.
I am glad they are alive and coming home. I pray more will soon. But I told my wife, sad as it is - and I don’t think Israel can openly say this - but they have to proceed as if every kidnap victim is already dead. Otherwise Hamas will play this game for weeks and months and either use it to regroup or hope that they can turn the sympathies their way in the interval.