Three Britons seized by gunmen in the Gaza Strip two days ago are expected to be freed very soon, Palestinian mediators and security officials said on Friday. A senior security official who did not want his identity revealed told Reuters "The crisis is over. At any momment now the hostages will arrive at a safe place." Human rights worker Kate Burton, 25, and her visiting parents Hugh and Helen were kidnapped on Wednesday in the chaotic southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah. The kidnappers did not immediately contact the authorities and made no demands, contrary to the usual practice in such cases, Reuters said. Foreigners taken hostage in Gaza have usually been released within hours. In such cases, the kidnappers have demanded jobs or the release of prisoners and have generally made contact with the authorities to begin negotiations immediately. Witnesses said around that on Wednesday, seven kidnappers armed with automatic rifles pulled over the car Burton and her parents were travelling in. The Britons were bundled into a white vehicle which sped away. --SP 23 45 Local Time 20 45 GMT
