A Palestinian group claimed Sunday it has killed BBC Gaza correspondent Alan Johnston. But the Beeb itself is saying there's no proof and no confirmation.
In a statement faxed to news agencies, the group (the Al Tawhid Al Jihad brigade) contrasts the attention given to Alan Johnston's captivity with that given to Palestinians held in prison.
Mr Johnston was abducted as he returned home from his Gaza office on 12 March.
The BBC has issued a statement saying it is deeply concerned about what it is hearing.
"But we stress that at this stage," it says, "it is rumour with no independent verification".
The Palestinian Authority said it, too, had no information confirming the fate of Alan Johnston.
If true, this would mark a very worrisome escalation in violence against journalists in Gaza. Usually Western journos are grabbed for a matter of hours or days, the aggrieved parties get their 15 minutes, and everyone goes home to their families.
I find myself wondering if this little-known group has any al Qaeda affiliations or are simply al Qaeda wannabes.
In any event, here's hoping Alan Johnston is still alive.