locals described as the longest-running hostage drama involving foreigners.
Wearing Western style clothing Cameraman Olaf Wiig, 36, and Correspondent Steve Centanni, 60, were seen hugging colleagues at Gaza City’s Beach Hotel where they were dropped of by Palestinian security officials.
The previously unknown group Holy Jihad Brigades seized the journalists August 14 and soon made a sweeping demand for the United States to free Muslim prisoners in exchange for the release of the men. The United States had rejected the demand.
Just before the two men were released Sunday, August 27, a new video was released, showing Wiig and Centanni dressed in beige Arab-style robes. Wiig, of New Zealand, delivered an anti-Western speech. The kidnappers claimed both men had converted to Islam.
CHANGING NAME
"I changed my name to Khaled. I have embraced Islam and say the word Allah," Centanni said. John Moody, a Fox senior vice president, reportedly said he was not aware of any conditions agreed for the release of the reporters, although the video appeared to play a factor.
A statement from the captors before the men were freed had said the two journalists had to choose either Islam, a tax imposed on non-Muslims to be paid to a Muslim ruler, or war. "They chose Islam and that is a gift Allah gives those whom he chooses," the statement said.
The kidnapping came amid growing concern among Christians in the region over growing Islamic extremism, BosNewsLife established. Several Christian leaders have expressed concerns about threats against them.
TERROR WARNINGS
Before the kidnapping of the journalists, the Palestinian Bible Society (PBS) in Gaza City received a terror warning saying "Close and leave Gaza by the end of the month or be bombed," local Christians and rights investigators said.
"The Bible Society staff counted the cost, surrendered their lives to Christ, and refused to leave despite the real threat to their lives," said Open Doors, a Christian group helping persecuted Christians last week.
PBS Director Labib Madanat, a Jordanian Christian, reportedly said his organization was "called to serve the Palestinian people including the Muslims." Yet thousands have left Palestinian Territories in recent years, churches rights watchers say. (With reports from Gaza and BosNewsLife’s Stefan J. Bos).
