(AKI) - The head of a Palestinian clan in the Gaza Strip holding BBC reporter Alan Johnston wants Hamas to guarantee his and his relatives safety in exchange for the reporter's release, the daily Jerusalem Post said Friday. Clan leader Mumtaz Dagmoush, is refusing to release the journalist - kidnapped over 100 days ago - for fear that Hamas will kill him and most of his clan members, the Jerusalem Post said, citing Hamas sources. Dagmoush, who is known as Abu Muhammad, is negotiating Johnston's release with Hamas leaders in return for assurances that he and his relatives will not be killed, the report said.
Since last Saturday, the sources said, dozens of Hamas militiamen have been surrounding the area where the Dagmoush clan lives in Gaza City's Sabra neighbourhood. Hamas has warned that it will use force unless Johnston is freed by Monday.
"This man is a big thug," an unidentified source was quoted as saying by the Jerusalem Post.
"He is claiming to head a group calling itself the Army of Islam. In fact, this is just a group of murderers and thugs who want money and jobs," the source said.
On Wednesday, a member of the clan, Munir Dagmoush, was shot by unknown gunmen in Gaza City's Zeitoun neighbourhood. His killing raised fears that the clan might try to kidnap another foreigner.
Dagmoush said his Army of Islam group did not consist only of members of the Dagmoush clan. "I'm only a soldier in this group," he said. "This is a group that is based on the principle of jihad [holy war]." |