Palestinian security sources in Gaza reported on Monday that an unknown
armed group abducted a Peruvian photographer working for the French
press agency (Agence France-Presse).
So far, no armed group claimed responsibility for the abduction of the reporter who was identified as Jaime Razuri. The attack took place near Ni’ma building, located in Al Wihda Street, in the center of Gaza City.
Palestinian security officials reported that the reporter was abducted outside of the AFP office in Gaza city, the office is in an area where many foreign agencies are located.
The officials added that Razuri was standing at an intersection when a vehicle pulled over next to him and about five masked gunmen pushed him into the vehicle and sped away.
The abduction was carried out as tension increased between the rival Hamas and Fateh factions.
Palestinian security sources reported that gunmen abducted eight Hamas members and three members of Fateh.
The two rival factions declared truce in December ending several weeks of violence which intensified after Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, called for new legislative and presidential elections.
The Foreign Press Association based in Tel Aviv denounced the abduction and harassment of foreign and local journalists.
In previous incidents of abductions of foreign journalists and workers, the abductees were eventually freed unharmed.
The latest abduction was carried out in October 2006 when gunmen abducted a Spanish aid worker and a photographer working for the Associated Press news agency for several hours.
In august, two journalists working with the U.S Fox News Channel were abducted and held captive for two weeks.
A Photojournalist Abducted in Gaza
Rami Meghari-IMEMC & Agencies, 19:42
Unknown gunmen abducted on Monday a foreign photojournalist
in Gaza, media sources said. The journalist works for the France Press
Agency, the source added.
Jermy Rososry, was driving along the Wehda street in central Gaza City when a group of militants stopped his car and forced him out, witnesses said.
No group claimed responsibility for the abduction and no further details were reported.
This is not the first time journalists are abducted in the Gaza Strip, however in all previous cases, they were returned after the Palestinian security forces track the captors and either arrest them or negotiate their release.
