For almost two weeks Fox News journalists Steve Centanni, 60, of Washington, D.C., and cameraman Olaf Wiig, 36, of New Zealand were held captive by militants. They were freed on Sunday to the delight and relief of their families and friends. They were brought to the Beach Hotel in Gaza City by Palestinian security officials.
It is not known at this time whether a deal was made with the kidnappers in exchange for the journalists release. Originally the demands were that all the Muslims that the U.S. had imprisoned were to be released in order to secure the freedom of the journalists.
Concerning the ordeal of the hostages, one report said:
"One of the former captives said they were sometimes held face down in a dark garage, tied up in painful positions and forced at gunpoint to make videos and say they had converted to Islam."
Reuters
Centanni speaking to reporters said: "I want to thank everybody. I am happy to be here. I hope that this never scares a single journalist away from coming to Gaza to cover the story because the Palestinian people are very beautiful and kind-hearted."
Wiig added: "My biggest concern really is that as a result of what happened to us foreign journalists will be discouraged from coming to tell the story and that would be a great tragedy for the people of Palestine."
Palestinian officials said that the group which called the Holy Jihad Brigades, were only using it as a front, and were simply local militants. They added that they had known who the kidnappers were from the beginning.
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