The United States Department of State has claimed that Hamas is planning an attack against civilians in Gaza “in grave violation of the ceasefire” and called on mediators to demand that the Palestinian group uphold its obligations under the US-backed peace deal.

In a statement released late on Saturday, the State Department said it had obtained “credible reports indicating an imminent ceasefire violation by Hamas against the people of Gaza”.

“Should Hamas proceed with this attack, measures will be taken to protect the people of Gaza and preserve the integrity of the ceasefire,” it said.

The statement did not give more specific details on the planned attack, and Hamas has yet to respond to the claim.

Palestine scholar and Middle East analyst Mouin Rabbani described the State Department

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