BBC Reporter Alan Johnston Is A Free Man
Published by Staff July 4th, 2007 in World.
The Palestinian militant group Hamas says kidnapped BBC reporter Alan Johnston has been freed after nearly four months in captivity in the Gaza Strip.
Hamas officials say Johnston was in the custody of the group’s military wing Wednesday.
Johnston’s release came in a general prisoner swap after negotiations between Hamas, which seized control of the Gaza Strip last month, and his captors from the Army of Islam.
On Tuesday, Hamas fighters took up positions around a Gaza City stronghold of the Army of Islam where Johnston was believed to be held. One Palestinian civilian was killed in a gunfight between the two groups.
Johnston was the only Western reporter in the Gaza Strip when he was abducted in March.
The Army of Islam, an al-Qaida-inspired group, had threatened to kill him if Britain and other countries did not release certain prisoners, including al-Qaida-linked Islamic cleric Abu Qatada, al Filistini.
Tensions between the Army of Islam and Hamas have mounted since Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip.
Source: VOA
Good news which is rare…happy for Alan’s family and friends