Brother of journalist: Captives are powerless

SAN FRANCISCO, California (CNN) -- The brother of one of the two Fox News journalists abducted in Gaza City August 14 pleaded Thursday with the kidnappers to release them, saying the journalists have no power to fulfill any demands.

"By now, you know they cherish life. They have no power. They are not deal makers. They are not politicians, and they have no authority," Ken Centanni said in a videotaped statement.

"Our brother and his colleague are in Gaza to report your story -- nothing more and nothing less," he continued. "It is in your control to resolve this matter. I respectfully request that you let our brother, Steve, and his colleague come home to their families." (Watch Palestinian leader condemn kidnappings -- 1:46)

The wife of cameraman Olaf Wiig, Anita McNaught, made a similar statement Thursday, saying her husband and Centanni were "merely innocent journalists." (Full statement)

"They have only one strength here in Gaza and that is to take the voices of the Palestinian people to the outside world. They can only do this if they are free," she said.

Ken Centanni spoke from San Jose, California, one day after a video of Steve Centanni, 60, and New Zealand cameraman Wiig, 36, was aired by the Palestinian news agency, Ramattan.

In it, Steve Centanni said the two are in "fairly good condition," with adequate food, water, access to showers and clean clothes.

"Our captives are treating us well," he added.

A leaflet accompanying Wednesday's video indicated it came from a previously unknown group calling itself the Holy Jihad Brigades, which claimed responsibility for the kidnappings.

In a CNN translation, the group said "we will release your prisoners" if male and female Muslim prisoners "in the jails of America" are released. (Full story)

"We will give you 72 hours starting today, midday ... to discuss and to agree."

Ken Centanni said he was grateful that the video aired.

"You reached out to us. Now allow us the opportunity to reach out with my words."

The video "shows you treated them with honor, and I thank you," he said.

Story Tools

Click Here to try 4 Free Trial Issues of Time!

Home Page Get up-to-the minute news from CNN CNN.com gives you the latest stories and video from the around the world, with in-depth coverage of U.S. news, politics, entertainment, health, crime, tech and more.

Home Page Get up-to-the minute news from CNN CNN.com gives you the latest stories and video from the around the world, with in-depth coverage of U.S. news, politics, entertainment, health, crime, tech and more.