(Gaza Strip) Two teachers at the American International School in Gaza were abducted by four masked and armed kidnappers on Nasser Street in the Gaza City. Dutch citizen Hindrich Tatchken, principal of the American School in Gaza and his deputy Brian Improjio, an Australian national. Dutchman Hendrik Taatgen (aka Hindrich Tatchken) and Australian Brian Ambrosio (aka Improjio) were forced from their car as they approached the school in the northern Gaza Strip. They were bundled into another vehicle which then sped away.

Witnesses in northern Gaza say the teachers were on their way to a private school that follows the American curriculum for the last day of term before Christmas holidays.

"They were intercepted by between two to three other cars and then taken away," said a witness.

The identity of the kidnappers is not presently known but it is known that both teachers are solid supporters of Palestinian causes. Although the number of kidnappings in Gaza has risen in the recent past, most are released unharmed after some "negotiation," if you get my drift. (Source)

[Update]

According to a Reuters report, the two teachers were released after eight hours following the involvement of a lawmaker from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). The kidnappers were PFLP gunmen who kidnapped the teachers to secure the release of jailed leaders.

The PFLP has said the abduction was to pressure the Palestinian Authority to release leaders jailed in the West Bank town of Jericho for killing an Israeli cabinet minister in 2001.

The PFLP leaders are guarded under U.S. and British supervision.

"This is our first message, first to the Authority and secondly to the Zionist, American and British enemy. Our message is not directed to the peoples of the two hostages," said a PFLP statement in Gaza.

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