Palestinian security officials say a local man briefly kidnapped and then released three American women in the West Bank city of Nablus.
The officials say the women were seized near the Balata refugee camp by a man who apparently was demanding a job.
In the past, foreigners have been kidnapped by various Palestinian militant groups, mostly in the Gaza Strip. The abductees are usually released shortly after a few hours.
The last abduction was in January when militants from the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades seized a French diplomat and two bodyguards. The three were released the same day.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
