Alan Johnston, Bureau Chief of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) in the Gaza Strip, was kidnapped in Gaza City on Monday by unknown militants, according to Palestinian security sources.

As he was being abducted, the journalist threw a business card on the street that identified him as Alan Johnston, the officials said.

Johnston was taken away by four masked militants, it has been reported. His car was found abandoned near his Gaza City apartment, Palestinian officials said.

Police found the lease of the rental car, which showed it was rented to the BBC.

No one has claimed responsibility for the abduction so far.

Palestinian security forces said they are doing everything possible to find Johnston.

The Palestinian Journalists' Union called on the kidnappers to free as soon as possible Johnston without any preconditions. Dozens of Palestinian journakists protested today in Gaza City against abduction of foreign journalists in the Palestinian territories.