In the context of the internal security problems ongoing in the Gaza Strip, two foreign citizens have been kidnapped in Gaza City.
This incident is another in a line of kidnappings that have occurred in the Gaza Strip, and raises important questions as to the objectives behind these kidnappings and the identity of the perpetrators.
According to Al Mezan preliminary field reports, at approximately 7.
45 on 14 August a group of armed persons intercepted the car of two journalists from the American "FOX NEWS", at Falastin Square in central Gaza City.
The US reporter, Steve Centanni, and New Zealander Cameraman, Olaf Wiig were subsequently reported kidnapped.
Al Mezan considers these kind of actions as contrary to the interests of the Palestinian people and the Palestinian cause in the face of the international community, and is used by Israel to further justify its crimes against Palestinians and justify its disregard for tens of UN resolutions that outline the Palestinians' right to defend their legitimate rights.
This incident comes in the wake of a number of kidnappings in which 107 people were kidnapped, 34 of them foreigners, by armed groups in the Gaza Strip.
The aim behind these kidnappings is to place pressure on the Palestinian Authority to secure the release of the kidnappers' jailed relatives or to provide them with employment opportunities.
As in all previous abductions, Al Mezan emphasizes the importance of arresting perpetrators of these crimes and bringing them to trial.
Further, Al Mezan maintains that the PNA, despite its current poor financial and institutional resources, holds responsibility towards maintaining security in the Gaza Strip and ending the spate of kidnappings, as well as arresting perpetrators and not yielding to their demands.
Since March 2002, Al Mezan has documented the cases of 2001 killed and injured Palestinians as a result of the state of insecurity, which jeopardizes personal and public safety.
Since the beginning of 2006, the total number of victims of this problem has reached 109 killed, including 14 children and 637 injured, including 75 children.
In light of the continued insecurity in the Gaza Strip, Al Mezan urges the PNA to: Secure the release of the abducted journalists, open an investigation into this crime and bring the kidnappers to justice Open investigations into previous cases, which included assaults against innocents, and public and private institutions Re-examine implemented internal polices, particularly those of the security apparatus, and implement plans to halt the state of insecurity and reinforce the rule of law in Palestinian society End