GAZA, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- Three Britons were kidnapped by gunmen Wednesday as they tried to enter the Gaza Strip from Egypt, Palestinian police said.
The British Foreign Office confirmed the hostages were a woman and her parents, and is investigating.
Last week two foreign teachers were abducted in northern Gaza, but later released unharmed. Militant groups in the occupied territories have in the past taken hostages to press the Palestinian Authority for money, prisoner releases or jobs, or to settle personal scores.
It is not yet known who is behind the latest kidnapping, or what their demands are.
The Palestinian police commander in Rafah said the Britons were kidnapped at around 4 p.m., as they tried to enter Gaza using the southern Rafah crossing from Egypt.
He said the three were traveling in a car approximately 200 meters away from the border crossing when they were approached by gunmen in another vehicle.
The gunmen forced them to leave their car and go with them.
The identities of the three have not yet been officially confirmed. However Al Mezan Center for Human Rights in Gaza reportedly said that a 25-year-old female volunteer from Britain had lost contact with their office this afternoon. The BBC identified the woman as Kate Burton.
Last week gunmen abducted Hendrik Taatgen, a Dutch headteacher at a private American school, and his Australian deputy, Brian Ambrosio, as they left for work.
The abductors claimed to be linked to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. They demanded the release of an imprisoned militant leader, but later released the captives unharmed. The PFLP denied any involvement in the kidnapping.
