Hamas begins to use force to release Alan Johnston
{{date|July 3, 2007}}
[[Image:Alan johnston bbc.jpg|thumb|right|[[Alan Johnston|Alan Johnston]] in an undated BBC photo]]
[[w:Hamas|Hamas]] has begun to use force to release captured [[w:BBC news|BBC news]] reporter [[Alan Johnston|Alan Johnston]]. Hamas also plans to release ten of its soldiers who were captured on Monday.

Johnston was kidnapped in [[w:Gaza City|Gaza City]] on March 12, and has since been kept in captivity by a group calling itself ''[[w:Army of Islam (Gaza Strip)|The Army of Islam]]''. Despite mounting diplomatic pressure from Hamas and the [[w:British Government|British Government]], Johnston has not yet been released.

The actions by Hamas come after reports that The Army of Islam planned to capture more journalists in order to strengthen their position, bargaining for the release of [[w:Iraq|Iraqi]] Sajeda Rishawi, imprisoned in [[w:Jordan|Jordan]].  

Hamas' armed division is reported to have surrounded the neighbourhood of [[w:Sabra|Sabra]] in Gaza, taking control of the suburb. The Army of Islam has threatened to kill Johnston should any rescue attempt be made using force. One civilian fatality has been reported as a result of the fighting between Hamas militants and The Army of Islam.

However, a spokesperson for Hamas said, "This operation is not aimed at freeing Johnston," suggesting the primary objective is freeing its own men.

== Related news ==
<DynamicPageList>
category=published
category=Alan Johnston
count=5
addfirstcategorydate=true
</DynamicPageList>
== Sources ==

*{{source|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3420837,00.html
|title=Hamas: Battle for Alan Johnston’s release has begun
|author=
|pub=Ynet
|date=July 3 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/07/04/1969102.htm?section=world
|title=Civilian killed in firefight between Hamas and Army of Islam
|author=
|pub=ABC News
|date=July 3 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article2022968.ece
|title=Johnston at risk as Hamas tightens its noose around Gaza kidnap gang
|author=James Hider and Paul Martin
|pub=The Times Online
|date=July 3 2007}}

{{wikipedia|Alan Johnston}}

{{publish}}
{{Archived}}

[[Category:Gaza Strip]]
[[Category:Middle East]]
[[Category:Politics and conflicts]]
[[Category:Hamas]]
[[Category:Alan Johnston]]
[[Category:Journalism]]
[[Category:United Kingdom]]

{{haveyoursay}}
Alan Johnston in an undated BBC photo
Hamas has begun to use force to release captured BBC news reporter Alan Johnston. Hamas also plans to release ten of its soldiers who were captured on Monday.

Johnston was kidnapped in Gaza City on March 12, and has since been kept in captivity by a group calling itself The Army of Islam. Despite mounting diplomatic pressure from Hamas and the British Government, Johnston has not yet been released.

The actions by Hamas come after reports that The Army of Islam planned to capture more journalists in order to strengthen their position, bargaining for the release of Iraqi Sajeda Rishawi, imprisoned in Jordan.  

Hamas' armed division is reported to have surrounded the neighbourhood of Sabra in Gaza, taking control of the suburb. The Army of Islam has threatened to kill Johnston should any rescue attempt be made using force. One civilian fatality has been reported as a result of the fighting between Hamas militants and The Army of Islam.

However, a spokesperson for Hamas said, "This operation is not aimed at freeing Johnston," suggesting the primary objective is freeing its own men.

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Gaza Strip Middle East Politics and conflicts Hamas Alan Johnston Journalism United Kingdom