The Egyptian military attaché to the Palestinian territories has been abducted by masked gunmen. The gunmen shot the tires of the vehicle in which Hussam Almousaly was traveling. The kidnapping took place in broad daylight and just 200 yards from the Egyptian mission in Gaza City.
The identity of the gunmen and what, if any, group they are associated with, is unknown at this time. The kidnapping of foreigners has become a relatively common practice in the Gaza Strip in recent months with more than 20 incidents reported since Israel's unilateral withdrawal from the Gaza Strip last summer. The foreigners were usually released unharmed after a ransom was paid or jobs were promised to the kidnappers by the Palestinian Authority.
Police immediately set up road blocks inside Gaza City in an attempt to capture the kidnappers. Eyewitnesses to the abduction were also questioned by local officials.
'We totally condemn such acts,' Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qorei told reporters.
The militant group Hamas also officially condemned the kidnapping. Sami Abu Zuhri, a spokesman for the Islamic fundamentalist group that won last month's Palestinian elections said the kidnapping 'harmed the Palestinians strong relations with Egypt.'
The search for the missing diplomat and the kidnappers continues.
