Israel and the Palestinian Islamic group Hamas have conducted their third prisoner-hostage swap during the current pause in their fighting. Hamas and the relatives of remaining Israeli hostages are seeking to have the pause extended.

Israel and Hamas agreed last week to the four-day pause that began on Friday. The deal commits Hamas to release 50 hostages in all, with Israel required to let 150 Palestinians out of prisons.

Hamas freed 17 hostages -- 14 Israelis and three Thais -- on Sunday, while the Israeli government announced the release of 39 Palestinians from jails.

One of the released hostages reportedly holds dual Israeli-Russian citizenship. Israeli media quote Hamas as saying it released the individual "in response to the efforts of Russian President Vladimir Putin."

The hostages were handed over to the Red Cross in northern Gaza. The previous two transfers took place in southern Gaza.

Analysts say Hamas may be attempting to disprove Israel's claim that its military is about to dismantle Hamas' fighting capabilities in northern Gaza.

Hamas liberated the hostages almost on schedule this time. The group delayed its release on Saturday, saying fewer aid trucks had reached northern Gaza than allowed under the deal with Israel.

Hamas also issued a statement on Sunday, one day before the current pause in fighting is due to expire. It says the group seeks to extend the pause through "serious efforts" to increase the number of people it releases.

Relatives of Israeli hostages who have not been released yet are also calling for the pause to be extended.

But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his determination to continue military operations when he visited troops in Gaza on Sunday.

Netanyahu said Israel has three goals for the war: eliminating Hamas, bringing all Israeli hostages back home and ensuring Gaza does not become a threat to Israel again. He said no one will stop Israel.