GAZA, July 2 (Reuters) - Hamas security forces in the Gaza Strip seized a leading member on Monday of the al Qaeda-inspired Army of Islam, the group which says it is holding a BBC correspondent hostage. Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters the man known as Khattab al-Maqdessi, who had acted as a spokesman for the group, was detained by Hamas's Executive Force after a gunbattle. His real name is Ahmed al-Mathloum, a source in Hamas said. A source close to the Army of Islam said he had been surprised near his home and seized after an exchange of fire. The Army of Islam, which is linked to one of Gaza's powerful clans, has issued videos on Web sites used by al Qaeda militants showing BBC journalist Alan Johnston. The group's precise ties to al Qaeda groups elsewhere are unclear. It is seeking the release of prisoners in Britain and other countries and has threatened to kill the Briton, who went missing in March, if security forces try to free him by force. The Hamas Islamist movement seized control of the Gaza Strip three weeks ago, routing security forces loyal to Western-backed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Hamas's local leader, Ismail Haniyeh, still considers himself prime minister but Abbas, based in the larger West Bank, formed another, emergency government. Hamas's Abu Zuhri said the Army of Islam seized 10 students who support Hamas after Maqdessi's capture. The Executive Force detained other members of the radical group last week.
