Hamas secures the release of kidnapped BBC reporter

Alan Johnston, held captive for 16 weeks, was released today. I did not think this story would have a happy conclusion. At times like this, I am thrilled to be wrong.

On a side not, (and I don’t want to read too much into Hamas’s efforts to get Johnston released) perhaps this may signal a new willingness within the militia to work with Western interests. Gaza and Hamas are isolated as never before. Donors are pouring money and support into Fatah and the West Bank. Maybe freeing Johnston was a public relations move to get a piece of that action or maybe not. Either way, this is the first time in recent memory that Hamas has done something pleasing to the West.