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Three British hostages in Gaza freed
GAZA CITY - A British humanitarian aid worker and her parents held hostage for two days were safely under consular protection in Israel early Saturday after being freed unharmed by their captors in the Gaza Strip, officials said.

A previously unknown group claimed responsibility for the kidnapping of Kate Burton and her parents Hugh and Helen, shortly after their release late Friday. The group, calling itself the Mujahadeen Bayt Al-Maqdes Brigades released a video showing a masked gunman reading a statement, with Burton, 24, standing silently next to him with her hands behind her back.
Another day, another name change.
“We have decided to pardon the three Britons as a gesture of goodwill in return for a seriousness in answering our demands,” the unidentified man said.

The Foreign Office in London confirmed early Saturday that the three Britons, taken hostage on Wednesday, had been released unharmed. In a statement, the Foreign Office said the Burtons were “well and in good spirits”. “We are pleased to confirm that Kate, Win (Helen) and Hugh Burton have been released unharmed. They are currently with officials in our consulate general in Jerusalem who are providing them with all necessary help and care,” it said.

“We condemn all kidnappings which can never be a legitimate means of achieving any objective.
Sure. Who are you releasing?
“Since we first heard of the Burtons’ abduction, the British government has worked closely with the Palestinian Authority and others. We would like to express our thanks and appreciation to all those who helped secure the release of the Burtons.”
Sure. Who are you releasing?

Posted by: Steve White 2005-12-31
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=138680