Hamas leader says group ‘ready’ for Israeli escalation

Ismail Haniya says Israel bears all responsibility for the consequences after ‘igniting fire in Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa’.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniya says the group told mediators it is “ready” if Israel increases its attacks on the besieged Gaza Strip. “If they (Israel) want to escalate, the resistance is ready; and if they want to stop, the resistance is ready,” Haniya, who currently lives outside the strip, said in a televised address late on Tuesday. “This is the message that we delivered to all the sides and to whoever is involved,” he added, referring to discussions held with regional leaders since the recent escalation of violence.