Haniyeh: Hamas is creating a new history

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on Sunday said that Hamas is unwilling to return to the status quo that existed prior to June 14, 2007, the date that Hamas seized power in the Gaza Strip.

The Palestinian crisis escalated in 2007 after Hamas routed security forces loyal to President Mahmoud Abbas, ousted his Fatah movement and took over control of the Gaza Strip, effectively separating it from the West Bank.

Haniyeh's comments came in response to a recent Fatah request that the situation be restored to what it was before Hamas gained control.

Speaking in front of a crowd of Hamas police officers, Haniyeh said that there will not be a return to what he called the "security chaos" and that Hamas is creating a new history.

A Fatah delegation is expected to meet in Cairo on Monday with Egyptian mediators to discuss reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas. However, if such efforts fail, the Palestinian Authority Chief of Staff, Gen. Dhiab al-Ali, said that the PA must be ready to use force against Hamas in Gaza "to reunify the homeland."