Journalists freed

Olaf Wigg (left) and Steve Centanni read statements announcing they had converted to Islam in a videotape released by their captors today. Pictures / Reuters

New Zealand television cameraman Olaf Wiig and his American colleague, reporter Steve Centanni, have been released by their kidnappers after nearly two weeks in captivity.

The two Fox News journalists were released shortly after noon local time (9pm NZT) and dropped off at a Gaza City hotel.

Wiig's wife, Anita McNaught, spoke to the Herald from Gaza City, saying it was "indescribably fantastic" to be reunited with her husband.

"They are out and I'm here with Olaf and he's here with me. We are phoning family at the moment ... they are out, they are safe and they are with us in Gaza. It's all fine."

AP news agency said television footage showed the two men being dropped off at Gaza City's Beach Hotel.

Centanni embraced someone in the lobby, before both men were rushed upstairs.

Mr Wiig wore a white T-shirt, rather than the beige Islamic robe in which he appeared in a hostage video just hours earlier.

Both men were reported to be in good condition.

Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said earlier in the day that he hoped the New Zealander would be freed within hours.

"There are promises that the journalists will not be harmed. I hope that this case is going to end and be solved in a way that reflects that the Palestinians respect their guests."

Palestinian Interior Ministry spokesman Khaled Abu Hilal said had been no "direct negotiations" to secure the men's release, but there were "certain communications with various Palestinian sides".

Wiig, 36, and Centanni, 60, were seized by gunmen in Gaza City on August 14.

The kidnappers today released new video footage of the pair before their release.

In one segment of the footage, Wiig was seen sitting cross-legged on the floor, dressed in a beige robe and reading from crumpled notes, delivering an anti-Western speech.

He also read out an Islamic blessing in Arabic, his fingers following the written text.

"The people of Gaza have suffered for many years in what is effectively a prison camp," he said in a halting voice, his face expressionless.

"They have not been free to come and go. Some say this was all started because of 9/11, and of course that wasn't true.

"It is Apache helicopters firing hellfire missiles made in America that kill the residents of Gaza. America and George Bush are seen as being evil in some people's eyes in this part of the world," Wiig said.

"It's time that the leaders of the West listen to the people, take notice of the millions protesting in the streets, stop hiding behind the 'I-don't-negotiate-with-terrorists' myth."

In another segment, Centanni said he has converted to Islam and raised his index finger in an oath of allegiance to the religion.

In the past, foreign hostages held in Iraq have said their captors coerced them into making statements.

The Israeli news website DEBKAfile said Palestinian warlord Zakaria Dughmush had kidnapped the men on behalf of Hamas. It said the Hamas team which abducted Israeli soldier Gilead Shalit on June 25 was trying to ease the pressure for his release by staging a more spectacular snatch.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesman Brad Tattersfield said the ministry would not speculate about who was responsible for the kidnapping.

Nothing has been heard from the abductors - the previously unknown Holy Jihad Brigades - since the deadline for their demands expired Saturday night NZ time. They wanted the US to free all Muslims in its prisons, a request which Washington rejected.