Journalists Still Held By Terrorists In Gaza

The deadline imposed by their captors is fast approaching, but Hamas said that they're in contact with the terror group that took Steve Centanni, a 60-year-old American, and New Zealand-born cameraman Olaf Wiig, 36 and conditioned their release on the US releasing all Muslim prisoners.

YnetNews reports that the two might be released later today. One can only hope that this comes to pass and the two are safely released.

Vital Perspective notes that Sen. Joe Biden (D) and Sen. Richard Lugar (R) are not satisified with Palestinian efforts to free the two journalists. Well, I'm not surprised. We're dealing with Fatah and Hamas and a new Islamic terror splinter group, all of whom cannot be trusted. We'll see if their views will affect the appropriations of foreign assistance to the Palestinian Authority.

Others noting the latest on this story: Ed Morrissey, Ace and Damascus Road.

UPDATE:
The deadline has passed, and still no word on whether Centanni or Wiig have been released.

Two Fox News journalists kidnapped by militants in Gaza have not been harmed, a Palestinian official said on Saturday, as a deadline expired for the United States to free Muslim prisoners in exchange for their release.

Interior Ministry spokesman Khaled Abu Hilal said information from "third parties" confirmed that Fox News correspondent Steve Centanni, a 60-year-old American, and New Zealand-born cameraman Olaf Wiig, 36, were in good health.

The previously unknown Holy Jihad Brigades claimed responsibility on Wednesday for the August 14 kidnapping and warned the United States to free Muslim prisoners or the captives would face unspecified consequences. The three-day deadline passed at midday (0900 GMT).

UPDATE:
Centanni and Wiig are likely to be released later tonite according to Hamas' Haniyeh.

The kidnappers of the two Fox News journalists abducted in Gaza City on August 14 have promised to release them unharmed, Palestinian Authority officials said on Saturday night.

According to the officials, the PA has managed to establish contact with the kidnappers, who promised to resolve the affair peacefully.

PA Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said he had personally received assurances from the kidnappers that the two, reporter Steve Centanni, from the US, and cameraman Olaf Wiig, from New Zealand, would be released unharmed and unconditionally.

It remains to be seen whether this comes to pass. Let's hope that it comes true - and that there are no conditions on their release.

UPDATE:
Rusty at the Jawa Report is on top of the situation and notes that Hamas is setting itself up to be the good guy in this whole situation. How, you say, is this possible? Well, the terrorists need to bank goodwill because of their ongoing activities and outright refusal to deal with Israel, which it seeks to eliminate as a matter of right and conviction. They probably figure that if Hamas can secure the release of the two journalists that the US and Europeans will force Israel to deal with Hamas despite the fact that Hamas seeks Israel's destruction and even the US considers Hamas to be a terrorist organization and withholds funds for the PA on that basis.

Others blogging: Michelle Malkin, Jeff Goldstein, and Hot Air.

Technorati: wiig, centanni, holy jihad brigade, hamas, fatah, gaza, journalists, kidnapped, terrorism.