Abducted reporter's brother in Gaza urges release

Dubai, Aug 20: The brother of a US television reporter kidnapped by Palestinian gunmen in Gaza appealed on Al Jazeera television today for his release.

Fox News Channel reporter Steve Centanni was seized along with New Zealand cameraman Olaf Wiig by masked gunmen on August.14 in Gaza City. No one has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping.

''I want his kidnappers to know that Steve is an honourable man who always tried to do what is right and that he respects Palestinian people and their culture,'' said a man identified by Al Jazeera as Centanni's brother but whose name was not given.

''We love him a lot and his health and life are your responsibility. We urge you to contact his family and to tell us he is alive and unharmed,'' said the man, who was flanked by two women, apparently from Centanni's family.

He spoke in English but his words were dubbed in Arabic.

Wiig's wife made a similar appeal in Gaza on Wednesday.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh have ordered all security agencies to search for the two hostages and secure their release.

The kidnapping was the first involving foreigners in Gaza since the Hamas-led government was sworn in in March.

Several previous kidnappings were resolved bloodlessly.

REUTERS