GAZA, July 17 (UPI) -- The Palestinian Authority declared early on Saturday a status of emergency after three separate kidnappings carried out in the Gaza Strip on Friday.
The Highest Palestinian Council for National Security chaired by Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat said in a statement that a status of emergency is declared in order to restore calmness and control the deteriorated security situation in the Gaza Strip.
Earlier Friday Palestinian militants had separately kidnapped two top security and police officials in the Gaza Strip in central Gaza Strip, and then kidnapped five French citizens in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis.
The militants released all hostages after negotiations between them and top Palestinian security officials and after reaching an agreement and promising them that their demands would be put in consideration.
Two members of the highest council of national security resigned on Friday after they sent a letter to Arafat saying that they are resigning and can't work in the Gaza Strip under such security circumstances.
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