GAZA, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- Deposed Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haneya, who is also a Hamas leader in Gaza, denied on Sunday that his movement had planned to seize the Gaza Strip by force.

    "We did not plan and we have never thought of seizing control of the Gaza Strip," Haneya said in a speech aired by Hamas' al-Aqsa television.

    The former prime minister glorified the Hamas-controlled Executive Forces into order defenders, who controlled situation after security forces loyal to President Mahmoud Abbas fled their compounds.

    He further denied that his movement was backed by Iran and Syria in Gaza takeover, saying that there was no need to do so as Hamas is a beneficiary of a power-sharing deal signed with Fatah.

    He also denied any alleged meeting with Israel in exchange for Hamas administration in Gaza. "Hamas has never held any direct or indirect, formal or informal meetings with Israel."

    Hamas took over the Gaza Strip in mid-June after a week of fierce fighting with pro-Abbas security forces. The clashes ended up with Fatah's fade-out from Gaza after leaving about 200 Palestinians dead.