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August 15, 2006updated 22 Nov 2022 8:38pm

Fox News crew kidnapped in Gaza

By Press Gazette

Two Fox News journalists have been kidnapped in Gaza by Palestinian gunmen.

According to witnesses, Fox correspondent Steve Centanni (pictured), and his cameraman, New Zealander Olaf Wiig, were ambushed while driving in Gaza.

"We can confirm that two of our people were taken against their will in Gaza," Fox News said in a statement.

The men, along with a bodyguard, were parked near the headquarters of the Palestinian security services when two trucks filled with gunmen pulled up and boxed them in, according to Associated Press.

The gunmen took the two out of their sports utility vehicle, which was marked "TV," and drove away, the agency reported.

A spokesman for the Palestinian Government, Ghazi Hamad, called for the immediate release of the two journalists. "This is totally rejected, immoral and is not a national action," Hamad told reporters in Gaza.

"Journalists and diplomats have special immunity, and this way is completely rejected and presents an image of security chaos," he said.

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Wiig's wife, Anita McNaught, who is a presenter on BBC World, said Fox representatives had told her negotiations for their release were already under way.

She told New Zealand's National Radio: "There will be people working through the Palestinian Authority, through the authorities in Gaza … but Fox News are vastly experienced on the ground there, so they have all the contacts they need."

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