Italian hostage freed in Gaza

PALESTINIAN security forces stormed a building where an Italian hostage was being held yesterday, freeing the man after a shoot-out with his kidnappers.

The hostage was seen being taken out of the building to safety by security personnel. He was taken to the preventive security headquarters in Gaza City, where he was escorted into the building by dozens of officers.

There were no immediate reports of casualties from the shoot-out.

Palestinian security officials identified the freed hostage as Alessandro Bernardini, an Italian peace activist. He was travelling on a minibus carrying 10 foreigners, including European lawmakers, in Khan Younis early yesterday. Armed men stopped the minibus, forced the Italian out and sped away with him.

There was no claim of responsibility for the abduction. But a security official in Khan Younis said it was carried out by a small group linked to the ruling Fatah party.

The abduction was the latest in a rash of kidnappings in Gaza since Israel's withdrawal from the coastal strip in September.

On Friday, three Britons were released after being held by gunmen for two days.

In more violence, armed Palestinians bombed the United Nations club in Gaza City, throwing two explosive devices.

Officials said five armed men tied up the guard at the building before throwing the explosives.

The UN club is known as the only place in Gaza City where alcohol is served. Only foreigners are allowed inside. Islamic fundamentalists object to the sale and drinking of alcohol.

The mayhem has underlined Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas's inability to impose law and order in Gaza and embarrassed him in the run-up to parliamentary elections later this month.

The operation to free the Italian hostage was a rare show of force by Palestinian security. There have been no arrests in previous kidnappings, and Mr Abbas has been criticised for negotiating with kidnappers, drawing accusations that he has encouraged further abductions.

The chaos in Gaza appears to stem from disarray within Mr Abbas' Fatah party. The Islamic group Hamas is poised to make a strong showing in the January 25 election, and some Fatah elements, fearing a loss, appear bent on sabotaging the vote.

Some top Fatah officials, including Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia, have urged Mr Abbas to delay the election. Mr Abbas so far has refused the calls.

The kidnappers of the three Britons said they were members of the previously unknown Mujahedeen Brigades Jerusalem Branch and said they had carried out the abductions to protest Israeli policies.

But Palestinian security officials said the kidnappers had ties to Fatah.

In an apparent bid to disrupt the election, the kidnappers threatened to abduct European observers monitoring the Palestinian election.