Sources: Abducted BBC journalist freed in Gaza

[nedbal]

Source: MSNBC News Services

Reporter Alan Johnston had been held by Islamists sicne March

BREAKING NEWS
MSNBC News Services
Updated: 10 minutes ago

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - Alan Johnston, the BBC journalist held hostage in the Gaza Strip since March, was handed over by his Islamist captors to ruling Hamas officials on Wednesday, a Palestinian source close to negotiations for his release said.

The source and another Palestinian involved in the talks both said they saw the 45-year-old Briton being taken into the care of officials from the Hamas movement, which seized full control of Gaza three weeks ago.

Hamas gunmen on Tuesday took up positions around the stronghold of the shadowy group holding Johnston, stepping up the pressure to secure his release.

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19589894 /

[Igel]

1. PR.

Intended to get all kinds of news commentators purring over Hamas for such a great act, when in fact it's just one gang of thugs consolidating its rule over smaller gangs of thugs.

[wellst0nev0ter]

9. I Guess Some People Will Never Be Happy

No, it's not a vindication of Hamas or its past, but at least they did the right thing here for once. Good for them.

[TheBaldyMan]

13. As opposed to the freedom loving stooges in Fatah?

Your outright condemnation of the legally elected and democratically mandated representatives of the Palestinians seems to be rather hysterical.

They have far more political legitimacy than the chimp in a suit still pretending to be US president.

[ohio2007]

16. But Fatah has the money donated by the west. Hamas wants some

It will be interesting to know whyat he has to say about his captors. His past journalist reports put positive spins on both stooges

[TheBaldyMan]

17. that money is Palestinian taxes collected by and withheld by Israel

Israel continues to withhold 80% of the taxes collected on behalf of the Palestinian authority.

FYI Alan Johnston was kidnapped by neither Hamas nor Fatah but a third party. Mr. Johnston was admired because he did not spin, he simply reported the facts. If you want spin keep to the US media, it is almost universal in its blind favour of Israel.

I suppose the string of ill-informed comments about Mr Johnston's release and the wretched condition of the Palestinian people on whom he reported are a symptom of how one-sided that coverage is.

[originalpckelly]

2. WOO FUCKING HOO!

God I hope it's true!

[muriel_volestrangler]

3. Reporting on BBC radio as well

and BBC website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/6267928.st...

"Television pictures showed Mr Johnston, 45, leaving a building and entering a white car, accompanied by armed men. He said he was tired but in good health."

And BBC correspondents have spoken to him as well.

[ret5hd]

4. WOW!

[quiet.american]

5. !

Excellent news -- I hope it's true and he is alright.

[madame defarge]

6. Thank god.

[Book Lover]

7. For completeness, Guardian article here

http://media.guardian.co.uk/site/story/0,,2117829,00.ht...

Alan Johnston, the BBC journalist held hostage in the Gaza Strip since March, was handed over to Hamas officials by his Islamist captors early this morning.

The 45-year-old Briton was taken to the offices of the disputed Hamas prime minister, Ismail Haniyeh, in Gaza City. A witness said he was well, but had lost a lot of weight.

Mr Johnston, looking pale and frail, told reporters that he was "OK". He is expected to leave Gaza for Israel as soon as possible. According to a Foreign Office advance plan, he will receive medical attention in Jerusalem before decisions are made about when he will return home to Britain.

Mr Johnston, the only western correspondent working full-time in Gaza, went missing on March 12. His captors later declared themselves to be the Army of Islam, an al-Qaida-inspired group with links to one of Gaza's powerful clans. Concern grew last month when the group issued a video of Mr Johnston in what appeared to be a vest packed with explosives and threatened to kill the reporter if there was an attempt to free him.

<more at link>

[ProudDad]

8. Good News (n/t)

[otherlander]

10. So now Hamas has him

which isn't really good... but it's better than Al Quaida holding him captive.

So is this...
*sniffs msnbc cautiously*
good... news?

*blinks*



Yay.

[IndyOp]

11. Thanks. Just Thanks. (n/t)

[Behind the Aegis]

12. This is wonderful news!

Now, let's hope those responsible will be held accountable!

[LeftishBrit]

14. That is good news!!!

I am so glad he's safe; I really thought this might not have a happy ending.

[maddezmom]

15. Great News