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October 24, 2005       Share:    

Source: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-palestinians-kidnapping-surge,1,7954466.story?coll=sns-ap-nationworld-headlines

Palestinians Negotiate with Kidnappers

(AP/Los Angeles Times) Lara Sukhtian and Mohammed Daraghmeh - Rather than fight them, Palestinian officials have been negotiating deals with those behind a wave of kidnappings, and the lenience is worsening the chaos in the Gaza Strip, according to a senior Palestinian security official. Gunmen are increasingly resorting to kidnappings to get jobs, break relatives out of jail, or settle personal scores. Gaza and the West Bank suffered 31 abductions in August and 44 in September, according to official statistics. Many of those involved in kidnappings have ties to the Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, a violent group linked to Abbas' ruling Fatah movement. Other hostage-takers even serve in the security forces.

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