Hamas murdered at least one bystander and threatened God knows what, but Alan Johnston is now a free man. I’m thinking it’s not going to really improve Hamas’ image, but hey, what do I know? Jimmy Carter thinks we should deal with the murderers.
BBC correspondent Alan Johnston has been freed by his captors in Gaza after his abduction nearly four months ago.
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 watch Haniyeh milk this for all it’s worth. Too bad the Brits are a little more occupied with terror attacks at the moment. There won’t be much capital to be had from this, I’m thinking.
“I was released a couple of hours ago. It was an appalling experience as you can imagine. Occasionally quite terrifying… Now it really is over,” Johnston told BBC News from the home of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.
The journalist added: “I am hugely grateful to the people who worked [for the release]. I think I am OK. to keep my mind in the right place was a constant battle.”
[…] Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal said Wednesday the freeing of the BBC journalist showed his movement had brought order to the Gaza Strip by seizing power in the territory last month.
“We have been able to close this chapter which has harmed the image of our people greatly. The efforts by Hamas have produced the freedom of Alan Johnston,” Meshaal told Reuters by telephone from Syria.
Yeah. Except in order to keep order, they had to surround the compound and murder innocent bystanders.
Eariler Tuesday night, exchanges of fire between Hamas and Army of Islam gunmen were reported in Gaza City. Palestinians said a bystander was killed in the crossfire.
Palestinian sources reported of a number of injuries on both sides. Hamas gunmen encircled the complex of the Dogmush family, one of the strongest in Gaza. Mumtaz Dogmush heads the Army of Islam with the support of the entire family.
Meanwhile, Palestinian sources said the wave of kidnappings in the Strip is continuing in the framework of the struggle between Hamas and the Army of Islam.
Yeah, that sounds really peaceful and orderly. Good job, Hamas! Gaza’s still a shithole!
So what was the real deal? If the only death was an innocent bystander outside, then I’m guessing the whole siege was Kabuki and a face-saving measure for either Hamas or the Dogmush.
I am happy that he was released. but only a fool would trust Hamas or any of their fellow murderers.
Tuesday – News bulletins crammed with latest arrest of Muslim-sounding medical professional.
Wednesday – Alan Johnston freed. Hurrah for Hamas.
I wasn’t aware there were any “innocent” bystanders in the Palestianian terrortories…
Robert
An “innocent” bystander is someone who is not actively shooting. Who would be full enough to go rubberneck an “exchange of fire”.
The only true “innocent” in the matter is someone who has no idea what is going on there and is forced out to get food, and that is the only way to where the food is.
Paul, in answer to your question, the bbc does!
Waiting for the NY times to glorify hamas for their wonderful humane gesture of forcing Johnson’s release.
So has Hamas lined the entire Dogmush (what a name) family up against the wall and shot them for criminal kidnapping? That’s how the Palis handle their “justice system” from what I’ve read. I agree with some of the others here, it was a put-up job, and Hamas had its sticky finger in the pie.
I suspect that more than one innocent bystander got killed. I suspect that Hamas found one or two low hanging members of the Dagmoush family and picked them off. Those holding Johnston got the message and released Johnston.