Beginning of another dark chapter?

Has the BBC's Alan Johnston been killed in Gaza? If he has it is one of the darkest days for international journalism and the Palestinian cause. Johnston has been a strong advocate for Palestine and the last person any militant group ought to be killing.

According to Ynet News, a group affiliated with Al Qaeda has claimed responsibility for Johnston's murder. This comes as a surprise as Al Qaeda has not hirtherto had a presence in the Occupied Palestinian Terriories, despite Ariel Sharon's earnest attempts to link the two in his rhetoric. Indeed Al Qaeda recently condemned Palestinian political groups such as Hamas for seeking to appease Israel. Moreover, affiliation with Al Qaeda is a rather flexible thing. For example, if a Muslim decides to use violence to get their message across and expresses sympathy for Osama bin Laden, this would be enough to be considered affiliated to Al Qaeda.

The fog of any war is always thick, but in a place like Gaza it's close to blinding.

Meanwhile, two more civilians are murdered during internal clashes at Khan Younis in Gaza.