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Hamas Releases Cameraman of German Broadcaster ARD

DPA news agency (th)July 31, 2008

Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip have released a cameraman working for the German television broadcaster ARD, four nights after they detained him, the network said Thursday, July 31.

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Cameraman Sawaf Abu Saif
Abu Saif was held four nights by HamasImage: AP

Sawaf Abu Saif was in a "bad state," ARD Israel bureau chief Richard C. Schneider said, adding that more details would be provided on his overnight release later in the day.

Abu Saif was arrested Saturday in a Hamas crackdown on its rivals, including the moderate Fatah party of President Mahmoud Abbas.

On Wednesday, ARD closed its Gaza office to protest Abu Saif's detention.

The crackdown in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip followed a series of bombings in and around Gaza City Friday in which six people were killed and for which Hamas was blaming Fatah.

Hamas officials reportedly accused Abu Saif of being a Fatah sympathizer.

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