The family of a BBC journalist kidnapped in Gaza appealed for his immediate release yesterday, as it emerged that Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian President, had informed the corporation that the journalist was alive and well.

This was the first sign from the Palestinian authorities that they had received any information on the welfare of Alan Johnston, the BBC Gaza correspondent who has now been held longer than any other Western hostage in Gaza.

“Yesterday, I met with President Abbas. He told me that he had credible evidence that Alan was safe and well,” Mark Thompson, Director-General of the BBC, told reporters yesterday. “He assured me that Palestinian authorities are fully engaged with Alan’s case and are working to resolve it as soon as possible.”

Previous assurances from Palestinian leaders have yielded little progress. A spokesman for the President’s office refused to elaborate on how Mr Abbas came by the information.

The BBC said that it had had neither any contact with Mr Johnston’s kidnappers nor had it received any demands to secure his release.

Without any sign of concrete progress, Mr Johnston’s father issued an emotional appeal from London. He said that his son’s continued captivity a month after he was abducted was taking an enormous toll on his family and pressed for his release. Graham Johnston, reading from a letter addressed to his son, said in a televised address: “I would like to say something to those who are holding you. You have families. Please think about what this is doing to my family, including in particular the distress and deep, deep concern Alan’s mother and sister have had to endure for all these long weeks. As I have said before — please — let my son go, now, today.”

Ban Ki Moon, the UN Secretary-General, joined the chorus of appeals for Mr Johnston’s release. “I sincerely hope that those who are responsible for this abduction should release him unconditionally and immediately,” he said.

Mr Johnston, 44, the BBC Gaza correspondent for the past three years, was seized in Gaza City on March 12. About 20 foreign journalists and aid workers have been abducted in Gaza in the past year. However, the kidnappings have typically ended shortly after the capture of the victim.

In the past, kidnappers in Gaza have demanded money, jobs or the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for their captives. Mr Johnston’s case does not fit that pattern.

However, some people within the Palestinian security services suspect that Mumtaz Dagmoush and his extended family are involved. The family was blamed for the kidnapping of Corporal Gilad Schalit, the Israeli soldier, ten months ago and of two Fox TV journalists last summer. The clan was once allied with Hamas, but switched loyalties last summer when two of its members were killed by Hamas gunmen. There are rumours that the family is seeking revenge by kidnapping Mr Johnston and embarrassing the Hamas-led Government.

A spokesperson for the Dagmoush clan recently denied any involvement in the kidnapping of Mr Johnston.

Ali Sartawi, the Palestinian Justice Minister, said that during a recent meeting between Ismail Haniya, the Palestinian Prime Minister, and British officials it had been decided that Palestinian security forces should not use force to free the journalist. “It is a complicated issue,” Mr Sartawi said. “We prefer the path of negotiation.”

Words of hope

“I have never been more ashamed as a Palestinian than I feel now with the continued abduction of Johnston”

— Saeb Erekat, aide to Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian President

“I sincerely hope that those who are responsible for this abduction should release him unconditionally and immediately”

— Ban Ki Moon, UN Secretary-General

“We are disappointed by presidential and governmental foot-dragging on the release of our kidnapped colleague”

— Sakher Abu-Owan, Palestinian journalist

“I appeal to all those who may have influence with the kidnappers to use their best endeavours to secure Alan’s release, safely and speedily”

— Mark Thompson, BBC Director-General

“Let my son go, now, today”

— Alan Johnston’s father, Graham

The victims

— Steve Centanni and Olaf Wiig, Fox News journalists, were kidnapped in 2006 by the Jihad Brigade. They were later released

— Emilio Morenatti, of Associated Press, was kidnapped in 2005. Saved by colleague after car chase

— Kate Burton, a British pro-Palestinian activist, and her visiting parents were taken by gunmen in 2005. They were freed after three days

Source: Times archives

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