Palestinian Arab terrorists have been busy little beavers today, going on a kidnapping spree culminating with the abduction of five French citizens.

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - Five French citizens were kidnapped by Palestinian gunmen late Friday in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian security officials said, the third abduction in the territory in less than 10 hours.

The officials said the two women and three men were abducted by gunmen as they drank coffee in the southern town of Khan Younis.

Witnesses said the five were taken to the headquarters of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society in the center of the town and the building was surrounded by about 25 armed men.

Earlier Friday, Col. Khaled Abu Aloula, director of military coordination in the southern part of the territory was taken from his car as he returned to Gaza City from Khan Younis.

Palestinian security officials said the kidnappers were Palestinian policemen who had recently been fired from their jobs. The officials said that earlier in the day Aloula had refused their request to help reinstate them.

Also Friday, Palestinian militants abducted Palestinian Chief of Police Ghazi Jabali in a highway ambush but released him after several hours.