Johnston's release is 'a message to the world'

The release of kidnapped BBC reporter Alan Johnston is a message to the world that Hamas is capable of maintaining security and stability in the Gaza Strip, a senior official of the militant Palestinian group said today.

Mr Johnston, 45, was freed today after nearly four months in captivity in Gaza. His release came after Hamas, which controls Gaza, stepped up the pressure on his captors, a group called the Army of Islam.

Moussa Abu Marzouk, deputy head of Hamas’ political bureau, said it was one of Hamas’ new responsibilities “to preserve security and stability for all residents of the Gaza Strip”.

Preserving security is “undoubtedly a message to the world that Hamas is a responsible group and to make a comparison between the killings and kidnapping that are happening in the West Bank and what Hamas is doing in Gaza to preserve the people’s rights, security and stability,” Abu Marzouk said in Damascus, Syria.

He said Hamas had insisted on Mr Johnston’s release since he was captured.

Hamas had demanded Mr Johnston’s freedom since it violently seized control of Gaza last month, apparently hoping to curry favour with the West, which is boycotting the Islamic group over its anti-Israel ideology.

Yesterday, Hamas gunmen took positions around Army of Islam’s stronghold, stepping up the pressure to secure his release.

Ismail Haniyeh, the former Palestinian prime minister who now heads the Hamas regime in Gaza, would not disclose details of the release deal at the news conference with Mr Johnston.