June 24, 2007

Kidnapped Reporter Shown in Video Wearing Explosive Belt (UPDATED and Bumped with Video)

Not good news about Alan Johnston, the BBC reporter kidnapped in Gaza more than 3 months ago (via Reuters):

GAZA (Reuters) - Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said on Sunday that the kidnappers of BBC correspondent Alan Johnston have made a new video of the abducted journalist wearing what appeared to be explosives around his waist.

Haniyeh, prime minister of the Hamas-led government sacked by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah, disclosed the video of Johnston in his first major speech since Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip just over a week ago.

"In the past they showed him in an orange uniform. Today they showed him with an explosives belt round his waist," Haniyeh said.

A Palestinian source close to the negotiations confirmed the existence of a new tape showing Johnston wearing an explosives belt. The tape has not been aired publicly but the contents were shared with Haniyeh.

The bomb belt is apparently meant to discourage any rescue attempts. Haniyeh says he was persuaded by the British government not to try a rescue for fear than Johnston would be killed in the process. How much of that is believable is open to debate, but Hamas has their credibility at stake here, since one of the first things they did after their successful coup earlier this month was to announce that Johnston would be free within 24 hours.

While we pray for Alan's safety and swift release, let's remember another Gaza captive who's been held even longer: tomorrow Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit marks the 1-year anniversary of his kidnapping by Hezbollah. May his family be blessed with his return home soon.

Correction: Thanks to Kafir for pointing out that Gilad was kidnapped by the Army of Islam, not Hezbollah, who did however kidnap Udi Goldwasser and Eldad Regev 3 weeks after the Shalit abduction. Let's keep them in our prayers too.

By at 08:29 PM | |