U.S. officials told families of hostages still held in Gaza they see a better chance of a deal for their release after Washington reached an accord with militant group Hamas for an American hostage's freedom that largely bypassed the Israeli government.

The announcement of the first hostage release since Israel shattered a ceasefire in March comes shortly before Trump visits the Middle East this week.

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Multiple airstrikes hit Gaza’s southern city of Khan Younis overnight into Thursday, killing more than 50 people in a second consecutive night of heavy bombing, while another airstrike in the north of the Palestinian territory left more than a dozen people dead, authorities said.

The Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip said Wednesday that 2,799 people have been killed in Gaza since Israel resumed its offensive in mid-March, bringing the total number of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces to 52,928 since the war began on Oct. 7, 2023.

The planned release of the last living U.S. hostage still in captivity followed direct contact between Hamas and Trump administration officials, the group said.

President Trump is visiting Qatar and the U.A.E. after inking big weapons and tech deals in Saudi Arabia. So far, his trip hasn't seemed to push forward chances for a ceasefire in Gaza.

U.S. special envoy Adam Boehler said on Tuesday there was a better chance of securing the release of the remaining 58 hostages held in Gaza following the release of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander by Hamas a day earlier.

Health officials say Israeli airstrikes overnight and into Saturday have killed at least 23 Palestinians in Gaza.