The sources said that several militants threatened by guns Sa'ed Sa'efan, a Palestinian officer in charge of coordination between the Palestinians and Israel to facilitate traveling for Palestinians leaving the Gaza Strip.

   The militants abducted Sa'efan as he was on his way to work atthe terminal of Rafah, said the sources, adding they also accused the officer of being corrupted and taking money from Palestinians to help them crossing the terminal.

   Sa'efan was released several hours after Palestinian security officials contacted the kidnappers and convinced them to release him, said the sources.

   The militants are members of the armed wing of Fatah movement chaired by Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, according to thesources.

   Israel has been imposing restrictions on Palestinians who leave the Gaza Strip or return back. The terminal of Rafah in the striphad been closed several time and Palestinians aged between 16 and 35 didn't allow to leave for security reasons.  Enditem