Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cbclark4]

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - Alan Johnston, the BBC journalist held hostage in the Gaza Strip since March, was handed over by his Islamist captors to ruling Hamas officials on Wednesday, a Palestinian source close to negotiations for his release said.

The source and another Palestinian involved in the talks both said they saw the 45-year-old Briton being taken into the care of officials from the Hamas movement, which seized full control of Gaza three weeks ago.

Hamas gunmen on Tuesday took up positions around the stronghold of the shadowy group holding Johnston, stepping up the pressure to secure his release.

Members of Hamas' 6,000-strong militia moved onto high-rise rooftops and deployed gunmen in streets in the Gaza City neighborhood of the Doghmush clan. The large, heavily armed family leads the Army of Islam, a little known group that has been holding Alan Johnston for nearly four months.

In an afternoon exchange of fire, a Palestinian civilian was killed, Hamas said, blaming the Doghmush forces. No other casualties were reported.

"The clocks have begun ticking toward the release of Alan Johnston," said Hamas spokesman Ghazi Hamad.


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19589894/

[Big_Bird]

Great news. Although I am sad to hear there was a death involved.

[Kuros]

This is surprising. I had guessed that he was dead. It goes to show you that there is always hope.