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[Phoenix]

GAZA CITY (CNN) -- A group of armed men abducted a CNN producer in Gaza City on Monday.

The men kidnapped producer Riad Ali after stopping a taxi he was riding in with CNN Correspondent Ben Wedeman and a CNN camerawoman.

A white Peugeot pulled in front of the taxi, blocking its way, Wedeman said.

"A young man got out of the car, pulled a gun out of his trousers, came up and said to me -- actually in Arabic -- 'Which one of you is Riad?'"

Ali answered, "I am Riad," Wedeman said.

The kidnapper ordered Ali to get out of the taxi, Wedeman said. As he did so, several other men, some with AK-47s, exited the Peugeot.

Wedeman said the kidnappers made no attempt to cover their faces.

"They took him out of the car and drove him away," said Wedeman. No one was injured in the incident.

Ali, who is an Arab, has worked for CNN for about two years. He has worked in Gaza and the West Bank. Wedeman described Ali as someone who is known in Gaza, has worked there "for several years and has good contacts." Ali had been trying to set up interviews, Wedeman said.

"We have always been able to operate here without too much trouble," said Wedeman.

At CNN headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, CNN President Jim Walton said, "We are working actively for Riad's safe return and are in touch with his family, offering them our full support during this difficult time. We have not yet heard from his abductors but urge them to release Riad immediately. He is a veteran journalist of the highest integrity."

This is a very interesting event and a change in behavior for abductions. Generally speaking, people don't knowingly abduct members of the press - and this could mark a very disturbing turn of events.

 

[Tommie Hu$tle]

This is a very interesting event and a change in behavior for abductions. Generally speaking, people don't knowingly abduct members of the press - and this could mark a very disturbing turn of events.

The funny (well not "funny") thing is I saw this report on Google before I saw it on cnn. I figured CNN would at least be able to get the scoop on themselves.

 

[Phoenix]

The funny (well not "funny") thing is I saw this report on Google before I saw it on cnn. I figured CNN would at least be able to get the scoop on themselves.

As always, CNN doesn't seek to be first - they seek to be correct Doesn't always work out that way, but in this case in particular I know that they wanted to find out exactly what happened and get in touch with the family and the personnel before running a story.

 

[Tommie Hu$tle]

That sounds like the corporate anwser.

 

[Phoenix]

That sounds like the corporate anwser.

I do have to say that this really sucks ass...

 

[Tommie Hu$tle]

What do you think is it a political kidnapping or a ransom kidnapping?

 

[Late Stage Marxist]

Damn librul media

 

[Phoenix]

What do you think is it a political kidnapping or a ransom kidnapping?

Good question. Hard to say. They 'asked for him by name' so perhaps in his pursuit of a story something went awry. With Hamas coming out and quickly saying "it wasn't us" it is difficult to know what the intent was behind this.

 

[BigJonsson]

Maybe they want him to produce something on their cause?

I dunno, but this could turn out really ugly

 

[Ripclawe]

They went looking for him so he was asking wrong questions about the wrong people, could be one of many groups that is fighting for power in Gaza now that Israel is leaving.