Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman says he expects West Bank settlement construction to resume when Israel’s ten-month nominal freeze expires next month. Palestinians have warned they’ll pull out of upcoming US-brokered talks if Israel resumes the settlement building. But speaking today, Lieberman said he sees no reason why the settlement expansion shouldn’t resume. The exiled head of the Palestinian group Hamas meanwhile is warning the talks with Israel could further entrench Israeli control of the Occupied Territories and the displacement of Palestinian refugees. Speaking from Syria, Khaled Meshaal called for a national Palestinian strategy of resistance.

Khaled Meshaal: “I call for adopting an alternative national Palestinian strategy based on the reinforcement of the choice of resistance, owning the points of strength, varying the choices, committing to the national rights, rebuilding the Palestinian Liberation Organization, and uniting our people and nation.”

Hamas has said it would support negotiations with Israel if Israel agreed to a full withdrawal to its 1967 borders, removing all West Bank settlements.