MIDDLE EAST: Two Fox News journalists kidnapped on August 14th in Gaza City yesterday appealed for their release in a video broadcast shortly after the previously unknown Holy Jihad Brigades claimed responsibility for their abduction.
It was the first word on the fate of Steve Centanni, a 60-year-old American reporter, and Olaf Wiig (36), a cameraman from New Zealand, since they were snatched from their parked car near Palestinian security headquarters.
The statement from the Holy Jihad Brigades demanded that the US release "Muslim prisoners" within 72 hours, but did not say what would happen if the demand was ignored.
In the video, broadcast on Arabic-language al-Jazeera television, Centanni and Wiig were filmed sitting on a blanket and wearing tracksuits. "We're alive and well, in fairly good health," Centanni said.
It was the first time kidnappers in Gaza, who have seized about two dozen foreigners in the past year, had issued film of their captives or made such sweeping demands.
Most previous kidnappings, often lasting no more than a few hours, have been staged to put pressure on the Palestinian Authority to grant minor local concessions.
Wiig said in the video: "I know my family will already be doing this, but if you could apply any political pressure . . . both here in Gaza and the West Bank, that would be much appreciated by both Steve and myself."
The statement from the kidnappers, which included verses from the Koran, said: "Release what you have, and we will release what we have. It should include everybody without exception. We will give you 72 hours beginning from midday. If you implement our conditions we will implement our promise, otherwise you will have to wait."
The kidnapping has been condemned by all the main factions in the Palestinian territories, including the ruling Hamas.
Sami Abu Zuhri, Hamas spokesman, who last week took part in a journalists' demonstration demanding the two men's release, said yesterday: "We reject and condemn the kidnapping of foreigners and journalists and we urge the kidnappers to immediately free them."
The statement issued by the self-styled Holy Jihad Brigades attacked US operations in Afghanistan and Iraq as a war against Islam. It was the first time a militant group in Gaza had made demands on a foreign country other than Israel, which was not directly mentioned.
US and British journalists were this week advised by their countries' diplomats in the region to avoid travelling to Gaza.