BBC television journalist Alan Johnston is alive and well and could be released "very soon", a Palestinian government official has said.
Dr Ghazi Hamad, the government's spokesman and member of Hamas, said he knows the group holding the BBC's Gaza correspondent and is personally involved in negotiations to free him.
Dr Hamad, who has been friends with the reporter for two years, told the Press Association: "I know that he is well and healthy, and in a good situation. No one has tried to harm him or hurt him."
He said he had "a lot" of information about the situation, but that he is not authorised to give details.
Dr Hamad said: "I think there are continuous efforts to release him.
"We hope we can do it very, very soon."
He said a "small group" had kidnapped Mr Johnston, and that he knows their identity. Dr Hamad said he had received information about Mr Johnston two days earlier, and added: "I have my own channels to talk to these people."
Speaking of his friendship with the reporter, who has interviewed him in the past, Dr Hamad said: "I think this is my personal job as it's my friend.
"It is my job to do everything to release him, and also to help my people, because I think it is shameful for our people."
He could not say exactly when Mr Johnston is likely to be released, but said: "According to my analysis, I think it's possible to release him. I hope to make it very, very fast."
Dr Hamad said that his government's policy was to respect people, and that journalists are working freely in Gaza.
He said: "We thank them for supporting our cause and our issues. We have never hurt any journalists."
PA