Hamas fighters announced the release of a hostage with Russian citizenship from Gaza as negotiations for the release of other hostages continue.
Hamas said it released the person in thanks for Moscow's stance on its conflict with Israel, which erupted after Hamas fighters rampaged through southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and evacuating 240 hostages.
As a result of that incident, Israel has threatened to eliminate the Hamas militants who rule Gaza, shelling the territory and launching a land offensive in the north. According to Gaza health officials, 14,800 Palestinians have been murdered, and hundreds of others have been displaced.
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The execution of a Palestinian farmer in the middle Gaza Strip had already raised concerns about the fragility of Hamas and Israel's four-day truce.
According to the Palestinian Red Crescent, the farmer was slain when Israeli soldiers attacked him east of Gaza's long-established Maghazi refugee camp.
Israel did not comment on the claim, but there were concerns that it may imperil the third phase of plans to swap 50 Palestinian terrorist group captives for 150 Israeli inmates over four days.
According to Egypt's State Information Service (SIS) head Diaa Rashwan, the truce is "proceeding without roadblocks." Rashwan stated that 120 relief vehicles, including two fuel trucks, passed from Egypt to Gaza on Sunday.
To add to the upbeat tone, White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said there was "reason to believe" a US hostage would be freed in Gaza on Sunday. Sullivan refused to reveal the identity of the hostage.
Thirteen Israelis and four Thai nationals arrived in Israel early Sunday after Hamas released detainees after an earlier delay caused by a disagreement over assistance delivery into Gaza.
On Sunday, Hamas' armed wing also announced the death of four of its military officers in Gaza, including the commander of the North Gaza brigade, Ahmad Al Ghandour.
