Palestinian group: Journalist killed

previously unknown Palestinian group said
Sunday it had killed a British journalist kidnapped over a month ago by
gunmen in Gaza City, but the claim could not be confirmed.

In
a statement sent to news organizations, “The brigades of Tawheed and
Jihad” said it killed BBC Gaza correspondent Alan Johnston, 42, to
support demands for the release of Palestinian prisoners held by
Israel. However, the BBC and the Palestinian government both said there
was no evidence to back up the claim.

“The BBC is aware of these reports,” the organization said in a statement. “But we have no independent verification of them.”