British hostages’ Gaza crisis over – security official

GAZA (Reuters) – Three Britons seized by gunmen in the Gaza
Strip two days ago are expected to be freed very soon,
Palestinian mediators and security officials said on Friday.

A senior security official who did not want his identity
revealed told Reuters “The crisis is over. At any momment now
the hostages will arrive at a safe place.”

Human rights worker Kate Burton, 25, and her visiting
parents Hugh and Helen were kidnapped on Wednesday in the
chaotic southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah.

The kidnappers did not immediately contact the authorities
and made no demands, contrary to the usual practice in such
cases.

Foreigners taken hostage in Gaza have usually been released
within hours. In such cases, the kidnappers have demanded jobs
or the release of prisoners and have generally made contact
with the authorities to begin negotiations immediately.

Witnesses said around that on Wednesday, seven kidnappers
armed with automatic rifles pulled over the car Burton and her
parents were traveling in. The Britons were bundled into a
white vehicle which sped away.