Palestinian group kidnaps Hamas officials

A previously unknown group today said it had kidnapped three Hamas officials in the West Bank, accusing the Islamic group of putting itself above the law.

Palestinian security officials confirmed the kidnappings of Bassem Abeido in Hebron, Hassan Safi in Bethlehem and Riad Abdel Karim al-Raz in Tulkarem. The three men, all local leaders of the Islamic militant group, were abducted by gunmen from their homes last night, though Karim was released early today.