The abducted BBC Gaza correspondent, Alan Johnston, has appeared in a video wearing what appears to be an explosive belt that his captors have threatened to blow up if force was used to free him.
In the video, Mr Johnston said negotiations to seek his freedom were thwarted by what his captors told him was a plan by Britain and Hamas to use force to secure his release.
But the Hamas leader said that his group has not used force to free Mr Johnston at the request of the British government, fearing he might be killed or injured in the process.
Mr Johnston was kidnapped in Gaza City in March.
Earlier this month he appeared in an Internet video which was posted on an Islamist website. A group calling itself the Army of Islam claimed to be holding him.
