quote:British reporter Alan Johnston, looking gaunt and walking stiffly, was released Wednesday after nearly four months in captivity in the Gaza Strip, saying it was "fantastic" to be free after an "appalling" ordeal in which his life was threatened.
The British Broadcasting Corp. correspondent was freed under murky terms after the Hamas militant group that controls Gaza stepped up the pressure on his captors, a shadowy group called the Army of Islam.
At a news conference with Hamas officials, Johnston — who was held in captivity far longer than any other foreign reporter in Gaza — described his experience as "occasionally terrifying."
I'm of two minds about this. I'm very happy he's been released of course, it's great news. I'm just very suspect of Hamas's reasons for pushing for it. Does this act do anything to make up for the fact that one of their basic tenets is the destruction of another nation and group of people? I don't think so.
Posts: 8741 | Registered: Apr 2001
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I really didn't think he'd be released. It's fantastic he was.
I'm not sure about Hamas. (In that, no, I don't think it makes up for their view in regards to Israel. But I am not convinced that Hamas trying for legitimacy is a bad thing - perhaps it may even result in a alteration of their goals which would be accepted by their electors.)
Posts: 4393 | Registered: Aug 2003
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From what I gathered he was treated decently whilst in captivity. That and the fact that his release comes without bloodshed to me suggests that there is something else going on...
Posts: 139 | Registered: Nov 2003
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