threatened to detonate if Palestinian or British forces try to free him.
"We are deeply angered by this,” said IFJ General Secretary Aidan White in a statement obtained by BosNewsLife News Center in Budapest. "It is an obscene and shocking video that shows utter disregard for Alan’s physical and emotional well being. His captors should release him immediately to ensure that he does not come to any harm," he added.
On Monday, June 25, a new video was posted online showing Johnston with what he says are explosives strapped to his body. In the video he adds that that his captors will detonate the explosives in the event of a rescue mission.
Johnston has been held for over 100 days by a group calling itself The Army of Islam. His abduction on March 12 was the latest in a series of "cat-and-mouse" kidnappings of journalists by extremists in Gaza, the IFJ said. There have been prayer vigils and demonstrations around the world for his release.
CHRISTIAN FAMILIES
The situation for journalists in Gaza has deteriorated in recent weeks as clashes between the rival factions Hamas and Fatah put journalists "in the line of fire," the IFJ said. There has also been concern raised about Christian families living in the Gaza region, BosNewsLife established.
An estimated 3,000 Christians still live in Gaza, which has a population of about 1.5 million. "While Christians are not the direct target of any attacks, they are still caught up in the conflict between other groups," said aid and advocacy group Barnabas Fund recently.
Earlier this month, after Hamas gained control of Gaza, gunmen entered the offices of the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate (PJS), which is affiliated to the IFJ, and seized documents and computers, IFJ investigators said. "Since taking over, Hamas has also shut down or tried to control media outlets in Gaza," the IFJ added.
ATTACKS CONDEMNED
From its offices in the West Bank, the PJS has condemned attacks on media and journalists in
Gaza and said it stands in full solidarity with colleagues there, adding that it also calling for the safe release of Alan Johnston.
"Like our Palestinian colleagues, we are concerned about Alan and all other journalists and media workers in Gaza," White explained.
"We are calling on Hamas and other groups to remember that journalists are non-combatants and must be allowed to work safely and independently to ensure that the true story of what is going on in the region is allowed to come out," he said.
ISRAELI SOLDIER
Besides journalists, Israeli soldiers have also been in the cross-fire. There was mounting concern Tuesday, June 26, about the plight of Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier captured one year ago by Hamas militants.
Hamas has released an audio tape of Shalit, who calls on the Israeli government to meet Palestinian demands for a large scale prisoner swap. Shalit said that "unfortunately" he has come to believe that "the Israeli government and the Israeli Army are not interested" in a prisoner exchange and added he was in failing health.
However his has told reporters the tape proved that his son was coerced into making the statement. Since his capture Shalit has been promoted from Corporal to Sergeant.
