GAZA, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian National Authority (PNA)Interior Ministry Wednesday condemned the kidnapping of two foreign citizens in Gaza City early Wednesday morning and calledon the kidnapers to immediately release the hostages.   Hindrich Tatchken, a Dutchman and the principal of the American International School in Gaza, and his deputy Brian Improjio, an Australian, were kidnapped by masked militants in the Nasser Street in Gaza City.

   The spokesman of the PNA ministry Tawfeek Abu Khousa urged the kidnappers to release the hostages, saying that the kidnapped foreign citizens were in Palestinian territories to offer help,utility and education to students.

   In a press statement sent to reporters, the ministry said that Palestinian security forces immediately started to search for the two foreigners and contacted different militant groups to figureout who kidnapped them and what they want.

   The ministry considered such acts humiliated the civilized image of the Palestinian people, stressing that the ministry will not ignore such crimes committed by outlawed people or group andvowing to give them due punishment.

   Witnesses said that four armed and masked militants stopped thecar of the two foreigners and bundled them into another car andtook them to an unknown place.

   Meanwhile, school officials confirmed that both had been kidnapped and the school had informed the Dutch and the Australian embassies, adding that the two have always been showing solidarity and sympathy with the Palestinian people.

   Tatchken had repeatedly sent letters of protest to the Israeliarmy for the sonic-bomb and airstrike carried out over the GazaStrip, which scares and panics Palestinian children.  

   Palestinian militants have kidnapped foreigners on severaloccasions in the Gaza Strip over the past two years, using the captives to press the PNA for achieving their personal goals. Enditem