Kidnapped BBC newsman in 'bomb belt' threat video

Kidnapped BBC journalist Alan Johnston has appeared in a frightening new video, saying he is wearing a bomb-belt that his Gaza captors will detonate if there is any attempt to rescue him.
The short video, released by the Palestinian extremists who have been holding the British journalist for 105 days, was provided to AFP by the private US-based IntelCenter and has been condemned by the BBC and Foreign Office.
"As you can see I've been dressed in what is an explosive belt, which the kidnappers say will be detonated if there's any attempt to storm this area," says Johnston wearing a number of packages strapped around his chest.
"They say they are ready to turn the hideout into what they describe as a death zone if there's an attempt to free me by force," he added, pale and forlorn-looking, dressed in a long-sleeved red shirt.
The award-winning journalist has been held far longer than any other Westerner in the Gaza Strip since he was kidnapped at gunpoint on March 12 while driving home from the office in the increasingly volatile territory. The Virginia-based IntelCenter said the Army of Islam group released the one minute, 42 second video which they called "Alan's Appeal."
"Captors tell me that very promising negotiations were ruined when the Hamas movement and the British government decided to press for a military solution to this kidnapping and the situation is now very serious," Johnston said.
"I do appeal to the Hamas movement and the British government not, not to resort to the tactics of force in an effort to end this," added the 45-year-old journalist speaking calmly and betraying no fear or strong emotion. "I would ask the BBC and anyone in Britain who wishes me well to support me in that appeal. It seems the answer is to return to negotiations, which I'm told are very close to achieving a deal."
The British Foreign Office condemned the release of the second video of Johnston this month as the BBC appealed for his immediate release, saying it was very distressing for family and colleagues to see him threatened. "My family and I are obviously most concerned and distressed at this latest development," Johnston's father Graham was quoted by the BBC as saying. "We condemn the continued release of videos like this which can only add to the distress of Alan Johnston's family and friends," the Foreign Office said.
Shortly afterwards, Hamas released an audio message purportedly from an Israeli soldier snatched by Gaza militants a year ago, urging Israel to bow to his captors' demands and saying his health is failing.
"I've been in prison one year. My situation is deteriorating. I need an extended period in hospital," said the voice in the audio clip posted on the website of Hamas's armed wing and broadcast extensively on Israeli television.
Sacked Hamas prime minister Ismail Haniya has demanded Johnston's release and the movement said it had cut its ties with the Army of Islam - with which it originally claimed joint responsibility for the Shalit capture.
Hamas has repeatedly said it was working to release Johnston and had even raised hopes soon after the radical movement captured control of the entire Gaza Strip in a bloody take-over that he could be released imminently.
There had been no word on Johnston's condition since the Army of Islam released an undated video on June 1, showing the BBC journalist reassuring his audience that he had been well treated.
Johnston, an experienced reporter who had been based in Gaza City for three years was the only Western journalist still based permanently in the Palestinian territory when he was snatched.
The Army of Islam want the release of Abu Qatada, a Palestinian-born cleric, once labelled al Qaeda's spiritual leader in Europe, who is held in Britain, and have previously threatened to kill Johnston if their demands are not met.
Johnston's plight has sparked rallies and messages of support from all over the world and an online petition calling for his release has been signed by more than 170,000 people.