Hamas on Monday arrested the spokesman of a militant group holding British correspondent Alan Johnston, a move that could give it a bargaining chip to secure the Briton's release.

However, a Hamas spokesman denied any link between the arrest of the Army of Islam spokesman and efforts to free Johnston. Abu Khatab al-Maqdisi, he said, was arrested in a gunbattle.

Hamas has demanded that the Army of Islam, led by a violent Gaza clan, free Johnston, who was kidnapped on a Gaza City street on March 12.

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But the group, whose formerly close relations with Hamas have soured, has demanded that Britain first release a radical Islamic cleric with ties to al-Qaida who is being held in a British prison.

The Army of Islam threatened to release what it said were damaging documents regarding Hamas activities, if its man weren't freed. The alleged misconduct wasn't specified.

Abu Khatab al-Maqdisi, came to prominence after threatening last month to kill Johnston if Britain didn't release a radical Islamic cleric with ties to al-Qaida.

The Army of Islam spokesman was arrested while trying to fire on members of a Hamas-allied security force, said senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri. The Army of Islam said in a statement that al-Maqdisi was leaving early morning prayers.

In a statement posted on militant web sites, the Army of Islam threatened to release documents suggesting misconduct among Hamas members. "We will release some documents that reveal the truth about some personalities who have tricked the Muslim community," the statement said.

Johnston has been held in captivity for a longer period of time than any Western journalist abducted in Gaza. Palestinian officials have said they know where to find Johnston, but have held back on raiding the hideout at Britain's request, for fear of harming him.

Last week, the Army of Islam posted a video message from Johnston on a militant Web site, in which he said he was wearing an explosives belt that his captors would detonate if there was an attempt to storm the Gaza City hideout where he is being held.

The tit-for-tat arrest and kidnappings reflect new tensions between Hamas and the Army of Islam, which was also involved in the capture of Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit more than a year ago.