Shades of Daniel Pearl
The timing of this is particularly unsettling, as we've all been reminded of the Daniel Pearl kidnapping and beheading in the movie "A Mighty Heart": After more than 100 days in captivity in Gaza, the al-Qaida linked group holding BBC correspondent Alan Johnston has released a video titled "Alan's Appeal." Johnston appears to be wearing a suicide bomb belt in the video:
"I have been dressed in what is an explosive belt, which the kidnappers say will be detonated if there is an attempt to storm the area. They say they are ready to turn the hideout into what they describe as a death zone if there is an attempt to free me by force."
The AP described Johnston as nervous, stressed out and "jittery."
When Israel rolled out of the Gaza Strip, al-Qaida elements rolled in. I doubt Hamas has cared till now, since they have a common goal of obliterating Israel. The militant elements and increasing lawlessness only fed Hamas' power and tunnel-vision goal of Israeli destruction. Gaza is the anarchist pit it is today because of Hamas, and if Alan Johnston is killed they will also have his blood on their hands.
God help Alan.