Gaza City, Gaza Strip – Hamas said Wednesday that the release of BBC reporter Alan Johnston after four months as a prisoner of a shadowy Palestinian group ushers in a “new era” of law and order in chaotic Gaza, and it warned that it will go after all vigilante gunmen.
The stakes are high. After Hamas won an election and formed a government early last year, Israel and the West cut off funding, alleging that Hamas is a terrorist group. Money transfers have been restored, but only to the Fatah-led regime based in the West Bank.
Johnston’s case was a serious embarrassment for Hamas. Several times after the Gaza takeover, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh denounced the kidnapping and his aides indicated a resolution was close at hand – but nothing happened.
Gaza political analyst Talal Okal said Hamas was sending a message by winning Johnston’s release “to show the Israelis, the Arab world and the international community that it is the only qualified group that can maintain the security situation in the Gaza Strip.”
Israeli anti-terrorism expert Boaz Ganor said the next test for Hamas would be winning freedom for an Israeli soldier captured by Hamas-linked gunmen a year ago.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, a member of Fatah, welcomed Johnston’s release, calling him “the Palestinian people’s friend.”
An Abbas aide, Yasser Abed Rabbo, alleged that Hamas and the Army of Islam were allies who coordinated the reporter’s kidnapping and release.
“I think that this was staged by Hamas to appear as if it respects international law,” Abed Rabbo said.
