Abducted CNN man released in Gaza

Ali worked for Israeli TV before joining CNN two years ago

An Israeli-Arab television producer kidnapped at gunpoint in Gaza on Monday has been released.

The father of Riad Ali, who worked for CNN, told a group of reporters outside his home that his son was free.

CNN confirmed the release, saying he had been turned over to Palestinian police in Gaza.

It is still not clear why Mr Ali was seized, although the incident raised concerns about foreigners' safety, especially media employees.

Gunmen in Gaza have seized several people, including foreigners, during the four-year Palestinian intifada, but have usually freed them within hours.

CNN correspondent Ben Wedeman, who witnessed the abduction, said the team had been driving up a main street when another car drove in front of their vehicle.

American members of the CNN crew were not seized

A young man got out of the other car, a white Peugeot, drew a pistol and said: "Which one of you is Riad?", Mr Wedeman said in a broadcast on the network.

He said that there were several kidnappers, some carrying AK-47 assault rifles, others carrying pistols, and they had made no attempt to conceal their faces.

Israeli media reports say Mr Ali joined CNN two years ago after being sacked from his job at the Israeli Broadcasting Authority where he is said to have fallen out with the management.

A former boss is quoted as saying that his reports often angered right-wing Israelis because he would interview masked Palestinian militants and "presented the Palestinian side."