The deadline set by Hamas for the release of kidnapped British Broadcasting Corp. (BBC) journalist Alan Johnston passed Monday night without a sign of progress. Johnston was kidnapped more than three months ago, probably by the Dagmoush clan or the offshoot Army of Islam.

"Today is the last day for the captors to release Alan Johnston," Hamas said on Monday. "If he is not released, we would use all means to secure his life and to free him." But the kidnappers immediately issued a video saying that Johnston would be killed if Hamas attacks.

The Dagmoush clan is a criminal gang with a militia force of at least 1,000 fighters and is involved in extortion and drug dealing. Its sandbagged headquarters are in the Sabra distrait of Gaza City, where Johnston was abducted.