Hamas chief says group showing flexibility in talks but ready to continue fighting

Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas, said the group was showing flexibility in ceasefire negotiations but would not fall for the "political traps" of the US and Israel, and that fighters were ready to continue fighting. 

Addressing the ongoing war in a televised speech from Beirut, Haniyeh also urged Palestinians to march to Al-Aqsa Mosque during the month of Ramadan, expected to start on 10 March.

"The siege of Al-Aqsa and the siege of Gaza are one and the same,” Haniyeh said.

Israeli authorities have put severe restrictions on Palestinians wishing to reach Al-Aqsa Mosque since October, when its onslaught in Gaza began. 

Haniyeh also called on the international community, especially Arab countries, to confront and restrain Israel from launching a ground invasion of Rafah and ending the starvation of Palestinians. 

He also warned that the rise in Israeli attacks in the occupied West Bank was part of a comprehensive plan to displace Palestinians.