GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) – A previously unheard of militant group in Gaza released footage yesterday showing two kidnapped Fox News journalists and demanded Muslim prisoners in US jails be released within 72 hours in exchange for the men.

In the footage, American correspondent Steve Centanni, 60, of Washington, DC, and cameraman Olaf Wiig, 36, of New Zealand, said they were being cared for and appealed for help in winning their release. The footage was the first sign of the journalists since they were captured August 14 from their TV van in Gaza City.

“Our captors are treating us well,” Centanni said.

A statement issued by the Holy Jihad Brigades railed against the US wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and characterised them as a war against Islam. It marked the first time a militant group in Gaza made demands on a foreign country other than Israel, which was not directly mentioned in the statement.

The video and attached statement were initially delivered to the Palestinian news agency Ramattan and later obtained by The Associated Press.

Local militant groups have routinely tried to limit the conflict to a fight between Palestinians and Israel, fearing they would jeopardise international support for the Palestinian cause.

All the major Palestinian militant groups have condemned the kidnapping and denied involvement. Palestinian leaders have also called for the men’s release.