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BBC waiting for news on Gaza man BBC man's parents speak of fears
(30 minutes later)
The BBC says it still cannot confirm a Palestinian group's claim that it has killed Alan Johnston, the corporation's missing Gaza correspondent. The parents of BBC correspondent Alan Johnston have said they are desperately worried after Palestinian militants claimed to have killed their son.
The claim was made by the Al Tawhid Al Jihad brigade, previously unheard of in the region. In a statement, the BBC said it still cannot confirm the claims by the Al Tawhid Al Jihad brigade, previously unheard of in the region.
In a statement, the BBC describes the reports as rumours without any independent verification. It described the reports as rumours without any independent verification.
Mr Johnston's parents have also spoken of what they said was a "desperately worrying" time for them. In a separate statement, Graham and Margaret Johnston said: "This is a desperately worrying time for us."
'Highly concerned''Highly concerned'
In its statement, the BBC appealed again for those holding Mr Johnston to release him unharmed. They added: "We make a heartfelt appeal to anyone who may have knowledge of Alan's situation and well-being to contact the authorities in Gaza.
We make a heartfelt appeal to anybody who may have knowledge of Alan's situation and wellbeing Graham and Margaret Johnston We continue to be highly concerned for his safety and are working closely with the Palestinian and British authorities to seek urgent clarification, BBC statement
It added: "We continue to be highly concerned for his safety and are working closely with the Palestinian and British authorities to seek urgent clarification." "Our son has lived and worked among the people of Gaza for the last three years to bring their story to the outside world and we ask everyone of them to help end this ordeal."
His parents, Graham and Margaret, in a separate statement, told of a "desperately worrying" time for them. In its statement, the BBC appealed again for those holding Mr Johnston, its Gaza correspondent, to release him unharmed.
They said: "We make a heartfelt appeal to anybody who may have knowledge of Alan's situation and wellbeing to contact the authorities in Gaza". It still described the claims as rumours and it said they remain without any independent verification.
They added that he has lived and worked among the people of Gaza for the last three years to bring their story to the outside world. "We continue to be highly concerned for his safety and are working closely with the Palestinian and British authorities to seek urgent clarification," it added.
"We ask every one of them to help end this ordeal," their statement continued.
The 44-year-old reporter was seized at gunpoint as he drove home from work on 12 March.The 44-year-old reporter was seized at gunpoint as he drove home from work on 12 March.
Mr Johnston, from Scotland, joined the BBC World Service in 1991 and has spent eight of the last 16 years as a correspondent, including periods in Uzbekistan and Afghanistan.Mr Johnston, from Scotland, joined the BBC World Service in 1991 and has spent eight of the last 16 years as a correspondent, including periods in Uzbekistan and Afghanistan.
He has lived and worked in Gaza for three years and was the only Western reporter permanently based in the often violent and lawless territory.He has lived and worked in Gaza for three years and was the only Western reporter permanently based in the often violent and lawless territory.
His posting in Gaza had been due to end in late March.His posting in Gaza had been due to end in late March.