Kidnappers warn "infidels"

Kidnappers warn "infidels"

"Any infidel blood will have no sanctity," the group said in a new Web statement. Either Islam, death or something given in return, the group added, apparently referring to a ransom or a swap for prisoners.

It was not possible to verify the authenticity of Saturday's statement, which was dated August 27 - the day militants released American journalist Steve Centanni, 60, and cameraman Olaf Wiig, 36, of New Zealand. They were seized Aug. 14 in Gaza City.

The militant group had demanded the release of Muslim prisoners held by the United States in exchange for freeing the journalists.

During their captivity, the journalists were forced at gunpoint to declare that they had converted to Islam, Centanni told Fox News after he was released.

The group said in its statement that the journalists' declaration saved their lives.

"Nothing but Islam gave their blood sanctity and prevented their slaughter," the group said in the statement. It added, "We are not the sort of people who are fooled ... but only God knows intentions."

Before their release, a video was released in which Wiig delivered an anti-Western speech, his face expressionless and his tone halting.

Palestinian security officials said the name of the group was a front for local militants. They said they had tracked down the kidnappers - whom they would not identify - through third parties, but did not say whether the journalists' were freed under a deal.