Sources: Kidnapped AP journalist released

GAZA CITY (CNN) -- An Associated Press photographer abducted in Gaza earlier Tuesday has been freed, Palestinian security and political sources told CNN Tuesday night.

The AP and a Spanish Foreign Ministry spokeswoman identified the photographer as 37-year-old Emilio Morenatti.

The AP reported that Morenatti was kidnapped as he was leaving his temporary apartment in Gaza and heading toward a car where an AP driver and translator was waiting.

The translator, Majed Hamdan, told the AP that four gunmen grabbed Morenatti's keys and cell phone and told him to turn away, pressing a gun to his head and threatening "to harm him if he moved."

They shoved Morenatti into a white Volkswagen and drove off, the AP said.

After his release, Morenatti was taken by Fatah officials to the office of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, the AP reported. It said Morenatti reported he was tired but unharmed.

The AP said Morenatti is from Jerez, Spain, and has been working for the news agency in Jerusalem since April 2005. He periodically makes trips to the Palestinian territories.

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