(Reuters) - Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, told fellow Arab countries that Israel cannot provide them with any protection.

In a speech on Saturday, Haniyeh also said armed Palestinian factions intend to expand the ongoing battle in Gaza to the West Bank and Jerusalem. "The battle moved into the heart of the 'zionist entity'" he said.

(Reporting by Hatem Maher and Nidal al-Mughrabi; Editing by Nick Macfie)