from TVNewser.com
Finally, over a week after their abduction in Gaza City, the kidnappers of Fox Journalists Steve Centanni and Olaf Wiig have announced themselves. Per the AP:
A previously unheard of Palestinian group, the Holy Jihad Brigades, claimed responsibility on Wednesday for kidnapping a Fox News cameraman and correspondent, Al-Jazeera satellite TV reported.
According to Reuters, the new group demanded that the U.S. release "Muslim prisoners" within 72 hours:
"Release what you have, and we will release what we have," the Holy Jihad Brigades said in a fax sent to reporters.
This news is breaking so there is no analysis yet, other than to confirm that this is the longest that a Palestinian militant groups has held foreigners. TVNewser has all the coverage here.
UPDATE: The kidnappers have released a video of Wiig and Centanni, who appear unharmed. TVNewser has it here. Here's a rough transcription, also from TVNewser:
Steve Centanni: "...We get lots of clean water, food every day, access to the bathroom, shower, clean clothes and our captors are treating us well. So I just want to let you know I'm here and alive and give my love to my family and friends and ask you to do anything you can to try to help us get out of here."Olaf Wiig: "I guess I would add for myself, and I know my family are already be doing this, but if you could apply any political pressure to the local government here in Gaza and the West Bank, that would be much appreciated by both Steve and myself. I know Anita you will already be doing that. To my family, I love you all. Please don't worry, I'll do all of the worrying for us."
Centanni: "We love you all and we want to go home, hope to see you soon. Thanks."
The tape was apparently delivered to Al-Jazeera with a two-page leaflet: FNC's
Jennifer Griffin said: "It says 'You raped us, you raped our nation,' referring to the Palestinian nation. Strong words. And then the final, final lines of this two-page leaflet talk about their demands, and the demands are that Americans release Muslim prisoners in exchange for Olaf and Steve."
At the top of TVNewser is this line: "Please keep Steve Centanni and Olaf Wiig in your thoughts & prayers." We will.
