Palestinian sources and eyewitnesses said that gunmen kidnapped on Sunday an Italian citizen in the southern Gaza strip city of Khan Younis. The sources said that Palestinian police started immediately investigating incident in order to secure the release of the foreigner. Later, the Italian was released.
Sources identified the kidnapped Italian as Alsandro Beroo, who was among a European parliament delegation visit in the Gaza strip. A faction of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades claimed responsibility for the kidnapping. The faction calling itself Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades-Sunni People said its demands for releasing the hostage were a full investigation into the death of late president Yasser Arafat and the removal of corrupt leaders from the ruling Fatah movement.
This operation came just 24 hours after the release of three Britons, who were kidnapped in Gaza Strip last Wednesday.
Lewiza Murgantinei, Head of Public Relations Committee in the European Parliament told RNA that the delegation includes European Parliament member and university teachers.
Earlier Sunday, armed Palestinians briefly seized the United Nations club in Gaza City, throwing two explosive devices. Officials said five armed men tied up the guard at the building before throwing the explosives. The guard was injured. The building was damaged by the blasts.
