The BBC has said it is deeply concerned by a claim that one of its journalists who was kidnapped in the West Bank has been killed.
However the organisation says it still has no independent verification that Gaza correspondent Alan Johnston is dead.
The claim was made by a previously unknown Palestinian group calling itself the al-Tawhid al-Jihad brigade.
Mr Johnston's parents have said they are desperately worried by the claims.
Mr Johnston, who is originally from Scotland, was kidnapped by masked gunmen as he returned to his apartment in Gaza City on 12 March.
Journalists have rallied in Beirut in support of Mr Johnston appealing for his immediate release.
