Egyptian diplomat kidnapped in Gaza city

Two masked gunmen kidnapped an Egyptian diplomat as he travelled in his car to the Egyptian representative office in Gaza City.

Gunmen shot out the tyres of consular official Hussam Almousaly’s car and seized him, another diplomat said.

The identity of the gunmen or their motive was not immediately known. Witnesses said Almousaly was abducted 200 yards from his office, which is under a 24-hour guard.

He has been in Gaza for six months, the other Egyptian diplomat said.

Six Palestinian police cars were patrolling the area, and officers were questioning potential witnesses.

The representative office and Palestinian security forces had no immediate comment on the kidnapping.