New Alan Johnson Video

The Army of Islam - the group that abducted Alan Johnson in March - has released a video of him wearing an "explosive" vest, which he says his captors will detonate if there is any attempt to rescue him by force. He looks pale and drawn, but spoke clearly and with confidence, as though he were reporting for the BBC. The threat is upsetting for Alan's parents, but it may be a hopeful sign. It shows that his captors are scared stiff of being shot by Hamas. It also suggests Hamas knows where Alan is being held. So the pressure is on his captors to make a deal.