Hamas Gunmen Surround Base of Scot's Kidnappers

Jul 04, 08:27 PM

Current Headlines: By MARTIN WILLIAMS

ARMED Hamas forces yesterday took up position around the Gaza City stronghold of the Palestinian militant group that has abducted Scottish journalist Alan Johnston.

Members of Hamas's 6000strong militia moved on to rooftops and deployed gunmen in a district inhabited by the family that leads the al Qaedainspired Army of Islam, which kidnapped the BBC reporter nearly four months ago.

The act is aimed at putting more pressure on the violent Doghmush clan, which leads the Army of Islam, to give up their captive. A Palestinian civilian was killed in an exchange of fire, Hamas said, blaming the Doghmush forces.

Around 200,000 people have signed an online petition calling for the release of the BBC journalist, whose parents live in Lochgoilhead, Argyll.

The escalation in force to try to secure Mr Johnston's release came a day after Hamas said it had detained Army of Islam members, including Khattab al Maqdisi, its spokesman, following a gun battle. It gives Hamas a potential bargaining chip in its attempt to free Mr Johnston.

"The clocks have begun ticking towards the release of Alan Johnston, " said Hamas spokesman Ghazi Hamad, adding that Interior Ministry forces were "tightening the siege on the people involved in his kidnap".

Khaled Abu Hilal of Hamas, an Interior Ministry spokesman, said security forces "will not spare any efforts to free the British journalist".

Hamas radio also broadcast an appeal to people to call in any information about the case. Witnesses said Hamas detained at least four Doghmush clan members.

Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip three weeks ago and has called for the kidnappers to free Mr Johnston. Some observers say it is a bid to gain favour in the West.

Fawzi Barhoum, a Hamas spokesman, accused Mr Johnston's captors of smearing the Palestinian people's reputation and of seeking "to prove to the world that we are a group of militias that fight each other to gain personal ends".

Clerics tried to reconcile the two sides, but the Army of Islam said Hamas did not respond. Hamas, whose militiamen were in the streets checking for guns, had no comment on the efforts.

The Army of Islam has vowed to kill Mr Johnston if Hamas tries to free him by force. The Palestinian group has demanded that Britain free Muslim prisoners in exchange for his release.

Hamas has said it knows where to find the journalist, but has not raided the hideout for fear of harming him.

Last week, the Army of Islam posted a video message from Mr Johnston on a militant website in which he said he was dressed in an explosive belt that his captors would detonate if there was an attempt to free him.

(c) 2007 Herald, The; Glasgow (UK). Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.