A senior Palestinian Authority official said, on Friday at night, that British Human Rights activist Kate Burton and her parents, Hugh and Helen, were released after they were abducted two days ago by an armed group in Rafah, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.
Kamal Sharafy, a Palestinian mediator gave no further details on the side which kidnapped them or the current location of the family.
Palestinian Chief Negotiator, Dr. Saeb Erekat said that he was pleased that the abductees were released.
Erekat urged all of the armed groups to refrain from abducting foreigners, or anybody else, since this issue harms the Palestinian interests.
The Palestinian Authority (P.A), Palestinian political factions, and armed wings condemned the abduction which took place near the Rafah Crossing.
Several political factions, including the opposition, and the P.A described the abduction as an embarrassment detrimental to the Palestinian image and cause throughout the world.
After the British residents were abducted, hundreds of Palestinians protested in the streets demanding the abduction and calling for a safe release of the abductees.
A Palestinian official stated that the identity of the kidnappers is known, and that they belong to a “weak” organization.
