Negotiate concessions to the jihadists, or else. By Felix Lowe in the Telegraph (thanks to Darcy):
Alan Johnston has been forced to wear an explosives vest which his captors will blow up if an attempt is made to rescue him, according to a new video released of the BBC journalist.
In the video Mr Johnston, captured more than 100 days ago in Gaza, urges the British government and the Hamas movement to return to negotiations to secure his release from captivity, rather than press for a military solution.
Wearing a bomb belt of the type used by Palestinian suicide bombers, he says: “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.”
In the poor-quality video, Mr Johnston continues: “As you can see, 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 hide-out into what they describe as a death zone if there is an attempt to free me by force.
“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.
“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 am told are very close to achieving a deal.”