NEWS: West Bank Hostages Freed

Hostages were freed three hours after their capture in the West Bank. Three church workers - an American, a Briton and an Irishman - were taken. Palestinian authorities and other militant groups put pressure on the gunmen which caused them to free the hostages.



So many hostages taken lately, with all these demands being made. The news is full of war and crime these days, there is never anything good going on in the world.

What do they plan to accomplish but more bloodshed and more pain?

[edit on 31-7-2004 by Banshee]

The three church volunteers kidnapped in West Bank city of Nablus are American, Briton and Irish men.

They have been working on an academic project at a Nablus university, the gunmen took them as they returned to a house where they have been living. The kidnappers could belong to a splinter group of Al-Aqsa, but no reason for the abduction was immediately given.


Also early Saturday, Palestinian militants set fire to government building in Jenin in anger at mayor`s refusal to meet their demands. The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades`claimed responsibility.

A spokesman for the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, which is affiliated with Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat's Fatah movement, said the act was a response to the appointment of Qaddura Musa as governor. Arafat had appointed Musa on Tuesday.

It was believed that Musa has refused to pay the salaries of members of the Brigades

haaretz

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