GAZA/MOSCOW, July 2 (RIA Novosti) - Clashes have erupted for the first time between two Palestinian Islamic movements, Hamas and its former ally the Army of Islam, reportedly holding hostage a BBC reporter, the conflicting sides said.
Hamas, which promised to secure the release of Alan Johnston, arrested a leader of the Army of Islam, Khattab al-Makdusi, early Monday in Gaza after his supporters opened fire at the local "police," the Palestinian Maan news agency said. In response, the Army of Islam took 10 Hamas students hostage.
After Hamas seized control over Gaza in June amid clashes with the pro-presidential Fatah movement, it promised to release Johnston abducted March 12. Until now, Hamas avoided any armed confrontation with the Army of Islam for fear of harming the journalist.
Hamas has denied any connection between the current fighting and attempts to free the British correspondent.
The Army of Islam, mostly consisting of the influential Gaza clan Dughmush, said they would only release Johnston in exchange for two of their members, currently under arrest in Britain and Jordan over their assumed connection with al-Qaeda.
The Maan news agency said the Army of Islam, formed in 2006, had conducted joint military operations with Hamas. It was said to be involved in the abduction of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit last June, but later shifted the blame to Hamas.
