Officers of PA security services played major role in abductions of
Westerners in the Gaza Strip.

GAZA CITY [MENL] -- Officers of Palestinian Authority security services were
said to play a major role in the spate of abductions of Westerners in the
Gaza Strip.

Officials said an Interior Ministry investigation concluded that members of
the security services targeted and participated in recent kidnappings. They
said several officers have already been arrested.

"There has been a commitment to crack down on abductions, which have
prevented foreign investment with the PA," an official said.

Over the past six months, at least three Western journalists have been
abducted in the Gaza Strip. Over the last few weeks, the threat of abduction
has spread to the West Bank.
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