"The situation now is very serious. As you can see I have been dressed in what is an explosive belt, which the kidnappers say will be detonated if there was any attempt to storm this area," he says.I watched the video and it is interesting that Johnston talks in a BBC-newscast style. My guess from his plea is that the BBC is involved in ransom negotiations with his captors. I wonder if they'll release the London bombing terrorists in exchange? How's that for appeasement? Does anyone think such a result will reduce incentives for further terrorist outrages? Hardly. Sends a strong message, all right: Kidnap an Englishman, get what you want.
Mr Johnston appeals for a peaceful resolution to his situation, saying talks had reached an advanced stage.
"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."
Earlier, the Hamas leader in Gaza, Ismail Haniya, said Mr Johnston's captivity could not carry on.
"We will not allow the continuation of the abduction of the British journalist. The issue of Alan Johnston must end," he said in a speech to his supporters.
What about trying another strategy? Perhaps blacking out all BBC news from Gaza and the West Bank until Johnston is released? If he's killed--never broadcast another word again from the Palestinians... Too much to expect gunboat diplomacy from the UK--a declaration of war, followed by the reduction of Gaza City to rubble. That's how protecting British subjects used to be done, I believe.