'Threat of force' to free British hostages in Gaza

Palestinian police have threatened to use force to sevure the release of three British hostages snatched earlier this week by…

Palestinian police have threatened to use force to sevure the release of three British hostages snatched earlier this week by gunmen in Gaza.

"Those who have them have not yet made any demands and have not yet announced who they are," said Palestinian Police Chief Alaa Housni.

These are enemies of the Palestinian people. We will get them. If we have to use force we will
Palestinian Police Chief Alaa Housni

"These are enemies of the Palestinian people. We will get them. If we have to use force we will."

On Wednesday, armed gunmen kidnapped British aid Kate Burton, 25, and her parents in the town of Rafah - not far from the Gaza-Egypt border.

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Ghada Snunu, a colleague of Miss Burton, said staff at the Al Mezan Centre for Human Rights, where she worked, were doing all they could to help her.

Speaking from Gaza City, she said: "I'm sure the kidnappers will not harm her or her parents. There are many kidnappings in Palestine but usually they release them after two or three days, whether their demands are accepted or not."

The three Britons were abducted near the Palestinian border with Egypt and reportedly forced into a white Mercedes which then sped off at around 4pm local time, 2pm UK time. Security vehicles gave chase but eventually lost the car.

Palestinian security officials said they were in contact with armed groups, but had not yet determined the family's whereabouts. They set up roadblocks in Rafah and the nearby town of Khan Younis to inspect all traffic moving through the area.

A team of British diplomats are also in Gaza and are in close contact with the Palestinian authorities, a diplomat said, adding: "We're quite happy with the way things are going, but the three nationals are not close to being released."