GAZA, April 7 (UPI) -- Palestinians marched to demand the freedom of BBC newsman Alan Johnston, who was abducted last month in Gaza.
Children paraded in Gaza Friday and journalists were expected to join the locals for protests in the West Bank towns of Nablus, Jenin and Ramallah, the BBC said Saturday.
Johnston has been missing since his presumed kidnapping March 12. No group has claimed responsibility for his disappearance.
Palestinian journalists have urged authorities to do more to find him and there is a growing movement among the citizenry calling for his release, as well, the BBC said. Johnston, who was the only international correspondent based in Gaza, has been held captive longer than any other journalist there.
A British diplomat met with Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh on Thursday to discuss Johnston. It marked the first time a British envoy has met with a Hamas leader.
The BBC said it has received thousands of messages of the support for Johnston and demanding his release.
