DAR AL HARB/ISLAM - ISRAEL/HOLY LAND: HAMAS IS ORCHESTRATING A PUBLICITY BLITZ

Happy Ending in Hamastan?
The BBC reporter Alan Johnston is free. But does that mean that Hamas has become a legitimate power worthy of negotiating with Israel and the West. German commentators aren't so sure.

Everything was perfectly prepared for the Wednesday morning release (more...) of BBC reporter Alan Johnston following his 114 days in captivity at the hands of a clan calling itself the Army of Islam. Surrounded by armed Hamas members, Johnston was ushered to the home of Ismail Haniyeh at 3 a.m. for a bit of breakfast with the former Palestinian prime minister. Hummus, marinated vegetables and pita bread were spread out on the table before him. Not even the fresh bouquet of flowers was forgotten.

The radical Palestinian group is on a publicity offensive. Following their violent takeover in the Gaza Strip in June, Hamas is eager to prove themselves better able to maintain law and order than their Palestinian rivals from Fatah. The Islamist group has made a concerted effort to end the street battles and crime that has infested the Gaza Strip for years and had repeatedly called for an end to Johnston's captivity.

Gaza analyst Talal Okal told Reuters that Hamas' message was "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." Johnston himself also said that Hamas pressure on his kidnappers (more...) had led to his release.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, from Fatah, booted Hamas out of the Palestinian government in June following the Hamas takeover of the Gaza Strip (more...). Immediately, the international community began sending aid to the West Bank in an effort to support Abbas' government. The Gaza Strip, meanwhile, has sunk even further into poverty. The US and the EU consider Hamas to be a terrorist organization.

Abbas himself welcomed the release of Johnston, but a senior aide to Abbas called the release a "movie" which came about due to a "falling out among thieves." A separate aide, Yasser Abed Rabbo, said: "I think this was staged by Hamas to appear as if it respects international law."

Commentators from German and European publications were divided on what the release means for Hamas.

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Pertinent Links:

1) Happy Ending in Hamastan?