KHAN YUNIS, Gaza Strip, Sept 11 (AFP) - Palestinian militants opened fire at cars belonging to news organisations Sunday after issuing a threat to kidnap foreign journalists covering the Israeli pullout from the Gaza Strip.

Masked members of the Abu Rish group, loosely affiliated to the ruling Fatah faction, were seen roaming the streets of the southern town of Khan Yunis carrying weapons, including an anti-tank missile, which they were threatening to fire.

A number of roads near Jewish settlements from where Israeli soldiers were preparing to depart were closed off by the militants, who kept back security forces from the area.

A number of journalists have taken refuge in buildings after a series of phone calls by representatives of Abu Rish threatening to kidnap correspondents.

An Italian journalist was kidnapped on Saturday by another militant faction linked to Fatah but he was later released unharmed.

Security sources said Abu Rish members were unhappy over their failure to be paid after being trained as members of the security services.

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