GAZA CITY, 26 June 2007 — The Hamas movement’s armed wing yesterday released an audio message said to be from captured Israeli soldier Cpl. Gilad Shalit, who said his health was deteriorating and that he needed hospital treatment. “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’ armed wing exactly one year after Shalit was taken.
“I am sorry that the Israeli government has not shown more interest. It should meet the demands of my kidnappers so I can be released,” said the voice in Hebrew on the tape.
In another development, 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 Palestinians 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.
Meanwhile, Osama Bin Laden’s right-hand man Ayman Al-Zawahiri voiced backing for Hamas and warned against any offensive to wrest control of Gaza from the Islamist movement, in an Internet tape yesterday.
In a dramatic change of tone, the Al-Qaeda No. 2 called for the Muslim fighters to unite behind Hamas.
