BBC Reporter Freed
Alan Johnston, a correspondent in Gaza for the BBC, has been released to Hamas by his captors after they held him for roughly four months. Hamas said Johnston's release was a sign that it was restoring order to Gaza, which it recently seized from rival faction Fatah. Johnston says he stayed on top of the news of his captivity by listening to the BBC World Service on the radio.
Alan Johnston, a correspondent in Gaza for the BBC, has been released to Hamas by his captors after they held him for roughly four months. Hamas said Johnston’s release was a sign that it was restoring order to Gaza, which it recently seized from rival faction Fatah. Johnston says he stayed on top of the news of his captivity by listening to the BBC World Service on the radio.
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He said it was “fantastic” to be free after an “appalling experience”. TV footage showed Mr Johnston, 45, leaving a building accompanied by armed men.
He was received by Ismail Haniya, a Hamas leader in Gaza. The group had vowed to spare no effort to free him.
Rallies worldwide had called for Mr Johnston’s release. An online petition was signed by some 200,000 people.
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