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Hamas seizes Army of Islam leader Hamas arrests over BBC reporter
(40 minutes later)
Hamas security forces in Gaza have detained a spokesman of Palestinian militant group, the Army of Islam. Hamas security forces in Gaza have detained members of the Palestinian militant group which claims to have abducted BBC reporter Alan Johnston.
Hamas said Khattab al-Maqdisi was seized in a gun battle in Gaza City. It also said the Army of Islam later kidnapped 10 Hamas university students. Among the arrested was Khattab al-Maqdisi, a spokesman of the Army of Islam group, Hamas said.
The Army of Islam, a small armed group, claims to have abducted the BBC's Alan Johnston in Gaza on 12 March. "The arrests were carried out after all negotiation attempts... failed to free the abducted journalist," the Hamas-run interior ministry said in a statement.
The BBC is due to hold a rally for Mr Johnston later on Monday to mark the 16th week since his disappearance. Alan Johnston was kidnapped in Gaza on 12 March.
The BBC is holding a rally for Mr Johnston on Monday to mark the 16th week since his disappearance.
Growing tensionGrowing tension
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said Mr Maqdisi was detained after he opened fire on members of Hamas's self-declared police. "The arrests are targeting figures who were involved in the abduction of the journalist," the interior ministry statement said.
He said Hamas would investigate claims by the Army of Islam that Mr Maqdisi was injured during the arrest. The Army of Islam is influenced by al-Qaeda
The spokesman also accused the clan which allegedly controls the Army of Islam of abducting 10 Hamas students. It said Hamas acted after "the use of peaceful means failed to free" the British reporter.
Tensions between Hamas and the Army of Islam have been growing since Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip last month, defeating members of another Palestinian group - Fatah. Earlier, Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said Mr Maqdisi was detained after he opened fire on members of Hamas's security forces in Gaza City.
He said Hamas would investigate claims by the Army of Islam - a small armed group - that Mr Maqdisi was injured during the arrest.
Mr Abu Zuhri also accused the clan which allegedly controls the Army of Islam of abducting 10 Hamas students.
Tensions between Hamas and the Army of Islam have been growing since Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip last month by force.
Hamas has demanded that the Army of Islam release Mr Johnston, threatening to "use all means to secure his life and to free him".Hamas has demanded that the Army of Islam release Mr Johnston, threatening to "use all means to secure his life and to free him".