November 21, 2006

Italian, Canadian Red Cross Workers Kidnapped in Gaza (UPDATED: BUMPED)

Update by Vinnie: The hostages have been freed.

A Canadian and an Italian aid worker have been kidnapped in the Gaza strip. If past experience is any guide, we should see them released unharmed. The Palestinians are very aware of their PR image. Killing Jews doesn't seem to bother the European audience much, but killing Red Cross workers is quite another matter.

No Burqua is following the story closely.

CNN:

The Red Cross said Claudio Moroni, 36, and Gianmarco Onorato [a dual citizen, living in Canada], 63, were abducted in Deir el-Balah in central Gaza after their car was stopped by gunmen. One was carrying a Canadian passport, Palestinian security officials said. It was not immediately clear which one.

"We are doing our utmost to ensure their immediate and unconditional release," said Red Cross spokesman Simon Schorno, adding that there was no immediate claim of responsibility.

Palestinian security officials said they were searching for the men, and mediation efforts were underway. An official at the Italian consulate in east Jerusalem said two Italians were involved, and the consulate was trying to confirm what happened.

By Rusty Shackleford, Ph.D. at 05:01 PM | |