By Xinhua
Gaza : A radical Palestinian Islamic group holding BBC journalist Alan Johnston Tuesday threatened to kill him if their demand to release al-Qaida-affiliated members is not met.
   In a statement published on al-Ferdous (paradise) forum, the Army of Islam threatened to "slaughter the prisoner like sheep" if three Arab prisoners, affiliated with al-Qaida, are not released.
   The prisoners are Sajeda al-Rishawi, a would-be suicide bomber who failed to blow herself up in Jordan, Abu Qutada al-Filistini, al-Qaida leader held in Britain and Abu Muhammad al-Maqdissi, who was held in Jordan and accused of having affiliation with al-Qaida.
   Al-Ferdous forum published the Army of Islam statement, which didn't mention the name of Johnston, a day after it showed a videotape of the 44-year-old hostage wearing explosive vest.
   The forum always shows video releases and statements from pro-al-Qaida organizations in the Middle East.
   Johnston, 44, was kidnapped at gunpoint in Gaza City on March12. He was the only Western reporter to stay full time in the restless Gaza.
   The group also called on Hamas movement, which controlled the Gaza Strip 12 days ago, to free two of its members who were abducted by Hamas gunmen "while returning from dawn prayers."
   Earlier in the day, a Hamas forum said that the Islamic group was planning an attack on Doghmush family, which supports the Army of Islam, to try to free the reporter.
   Hamas said they would have used force to free Johnston if the British government did not oppose such a move.