An Australian and a Palestinian have been kidnapped at gunpoint in Gaza City and those claiming responsibility say the abduction is in response to Thursday's kidnapping of a Palestinian intelligence officer.
Masked gunmen forced the two victims into a vehicle outside a beachfront hotel Friday.
Relatives of the intelligence service officer, Jihad Abed, who was abducted the day before in Gaza, are claiming responsibility for holding the Australian and Palestinian.
The officer's abduction is being blamed on the Jenin Martyrs Brigades militant group. There has been no response from the group.
The officer's family says Friday's kidnapping was because of the failure of Palestinian authorities to secure the officer's release, and a relative says the Australian and Palestinian will be freed in exchange for the release of the officer.