Alan Johnston's ordeal became a global concern, when the BBC and his family organized a campaign to urge his immediate release. The release is a propaganda coup for the Hamas leadership, which after ousting Fatah from Gaza, has been stripped of its role in the Palestinian government. Former PM Ismail Haniyeh appeared with Johnston in a press conference at Haniyeh's Gaza residence and sought to project a new image of Hamas as keeper of law and order and responsible political leadership.

Johnston's BBC colleagues were in attendance and said the reporter appeared to be in "excellent" mental health. It remains a mystery what the previously unknown militant group that took the reporter hostage planned to accomplish, as it does what conditions were given for his release. Hamas and Fatah both had condemned Johnston's kidnapping from the beginning, calling for his immediate release.

Hamas has been trying to follow through on promises of peace and security in the densely populated Gaza Strip, since forcing the Fatah faction of PA pres. Mahmoud Abbas to abandon the territory. Abbas removed all Hamas figures from his cabinet, and has formed an interim government based in the West Bank, while foreign backers, including the US, EU and Israel, have sought to strengthen Fatah and cut resources to those living in Hamas-controlled Gaza.

The International Herald Tribune reports: "In a brief telephone interview with the BBC from Haniya's house, Johnston said, 'It is just the most fantastic thing to be free.' It is 'indescribably good to be out,' he said, describing 114 days of captivity." Johnston went on to describe his experience in captivity as "appalling" and "sometimes terrifying".

Oddly, he said that the only time he was beaten was during the last half-hour before his release. He also specified that once Hamas took power in Gaza his kidnappers became increasingly nervous. According to the IHT, "His kidnappers were indifferent, and he became very ill twice, he said, 'and I had the feeling that they would watch television while the British guy died in the other room.'"

Mahmoud Zahar, a senior Hamas figure, told reporters that Hamas had entered "a new era" and that no illegal activity would be tolerated "against anyone". He said the militia would use its power to enforce the rule of law and to protect foreigners in Gaza.

It remains to be seen whether Hamas' grip on power will hold, though it seems to be tightening. And if it does hold, will the group be able to prevent random kidnappings, factional infighting, or further combat with Fatah? [s]

• IHT: "BBC journalist freed in Gaza after 16 weeks"
• Reuters AlertNet: "BBC Gaza reporter Johnston freed -- sources"
• Jerusalem Post: "Hamas hopes for legitimacy after Johnston's release"
• Jersualem Post: "Syria pushed Hamas to free Johnston"
• PC Advisor: "200,000 back Alan Johnston in online petition"