Italian Activist Found Dead in Gaza
Photo: AP
International activist Vittorio Arrigoni, from Italy, holds his passport during a protest against the Israeli siege on Gaza, in Gaza City (File 2008)
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Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.Hamas security officials say they have found the body of an Italian activist in an abandoned Gaza City house following his abduction by radical Palestinian militants.
Hamas police found the body Friday in an apartment belonging to a member of a Jihadist Salafi group aligned with al-Qaida.
The Italian Foreign Ministry confirmed that the man was Vittorio Arrigoni, an Italian national who worked for a pro-Palestinian group called the International Solidarity Movement.
In a video posted online Thursday, Arrigoni's abductors threatened to kill him unless Hamas freed members of the Jihadist group.
One of the leaders of International Solidarity Movement, Huewida Arraf, described Arrigoni's killing as "a complete shock" saying she did not believe the kidnappers would harm him,
Two people have been arrested in connection with the killing, and least one other is being sought.
Hamas has condemned the act. A spokesman quoted by Reuters news says the group responsible is trying to "spread chaos and anarchy in the Gaza Strip."
In the video posted Thursday, Arrigoni was shown blindfolded with a large bruise on his face. A hand can be seen pulling his head up by his hair to face the camera.
Before his body was found, Italy said it was aware of the kidnapping and was taking steps to ensure Arrigoni's safety.
The incident is the first kidnapping of a foreigner in Gaza since Hamas took control of the territory in 2007.
There are five major Salafist groups in Gaza. The movement espouses an austere form of Sunni Islam that seeks a return to practices common in the early days of the faith. Their religious observances and refusal to abide by various cease-fires with Israel put them at odds with Hamas.
Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.Hamas security officials say they have found the body of an Italian activist in an abandoned Gaza City house following his abduction by radical Palestinian militants.
Hamas police found the body Friday in an apartment belonging to a member of a Jihadist Salafi group aligned with al-Qaida.
The Italian Foreign Ministry confirmed that the man was Vittorio Arrigoni, an Italian national who worked for a pro-Palestinian group called the International Solidarity Movement.
In a video posted online Thursday, Arrigoni's abductors threatened to kill him unless Hamas freed members of the Jihadist group.
One of the leaders of International Solidarity Movement, Huewida Arraf, described Arrigoni's killing as "a complete shock" saying she did not believe the kidnappers would harm him,
Two people have been arrested in connection with the killing, and least one other is being sought.
Hamas has condemned the act. A spokesman quoted by Reuters news says the group responsible is trying to "spread chaos and anarchy in the Gaza Strip."
In the video posted Thursday, Arrigoni was shown blindfolded with a large bruise on his face. A hand can be seen pulling his head up by his hair to face the camera.
Before his body was found, Italy said it was aware of the kidnapping and was taking steps to ensure Arrigoni's safety.
The incident is the first kidnapping of a foreigner in Gaza since Hamas took control of the territory in 2007.
There are five major Salafist groups in Gaza. The movement espouses an austere form of Sunni Islam that seeks a return to practices common in the early days of the faith. Their religious observances and refusal to abide by various cease-fires with Israel put them at odds with Hamas.
(source:voanews.com)
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