GAZA STRIP - The anarchic Gazan security situation showed no signs of abetting on Wednesday, as heavy prssure by the Palestinian Authority and the British government resulted in the relase of two kidnapped western aid workers.
Earlier, armed Palestinians kidnapped the workers, one British and one Austrian, in the Gaza Strip Wednesday, demanding the Palestinian Authority execute a death sentence imposed on the murderer of one of the kidnappers’ relatives.
Several months ago, a Palestinian was murdered by a Fatah activist in Khan Younis. A Palestinian court sentenced the killer to death, but the sentence has yet to be carried out.
Several months later, armed Fatah members, relatives of the victim, broke into a jail in the Palestinian Authority and beat up several guards because the execution continues to be delayed.
Several senior Authority officials were fired by Chairman Mahmoud Abbas following the prison break-in, including former national security officer Abdel Razek Majaidie.
Today, kidnappers claimed the foot dragging continues, and they snatched the workers, demanding the Authority to execute their relative’s murderer in exchange for the hostages.
First published: 14:21, 07.13.5