MOSCOW, July 2 (RIA Novosti) - The Palestinian Islamic movement Hamas has detained the leader of a radical Islamic group that has reportedly been holding BBC correspondent Alan Johnston hostage for nearly four months, local media said Monday.
Hamas said Khattab al-Makdusi, leader of the Army of Islam (Jeish al-Islam), had been detained early Monday in the Hamas-controlled Gaza after his supporters opened fire at the local "police," the Palestinian Maan news agency said.
In response, the Army of Islam took 10 Hamas students hostage. Formed in 2006, the Army of Islam has conducted joint military operations with Hamas. It was said to be involved in abducting Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit last June but later shifted the blame on Hamas.
