Israel's "lack of commitment" is putting the Gaza ceasefire in danger of collapse, a senior Hamas official told AFP on Saturday with talks yet to start on its second phase.

In an interview with AFP, Hamas political bureau member and former Gaza health minister Basem Naim warned the deal was in danger, but said the Palestinian militant group did not want to return to war.

The fifth release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners took place on Saturday, about halfway through the six-week first phase of the ceasefire deal.

The fragile ceasefire, which took effect last month, brought to a halt more than 15 months of war sparked by Hamas's unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

Israel's retaliatory campaign in Gaza has left its Hamas rulers weakened........

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