Johnston was handed over by militants of ‘The Army of Islam’ group to officials of the Hamas faction, which controls the Gaza Strip, following an international campaign that included prayer vigils and demonstrations for his release.
Hamas officials clutched both his arms and gunmen pointed their weapons into the air as they took Johnston away from his kidnappers to the refugee camp home of sacked Hamas prime minister Ismail Haniya.
Looking tired and pale and walking stiffly, with a reported new hair cut, he soon met journalists to speak about his ordeal, which he described as "the worst" period of his life.
"The psychological pressures and stresses are absolutely huge, and it’s a huge battle to keep your mind in the right place and stay healthy in every way you can, and just the most unimaginable relief that it’s finally over," he said, wearing his trade-mark blue jeans, a blue shirt, and a navy jacket.
LIFE IN DANGER
Johnston’s life appeared to be in serious danger last week, when ‘The Army of Islam’ posted a video of him wearing an explosives belt. He said his life was threatened several times.
"The last 16 weeks of course [were] just the very worst you can imagine of my life. It was like being buried alive really, removed from the world, and occasionally terrifying," said Johnston. "I was in the hands of people who were dangerous and unpredictable."
Johnston said however he felt morally strengthened by the international support of which he learned via the BBC World Service after "getting hold of a radio." He was the only Western journalist still based permanently in the Gaza Strip when he was kidnapped on March 12 at gunpoint by ‘The Army of Islam’.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNALISTS REACT
In a first reaction to BosNewsLife following his release, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) said it was full of joy, but cautioned that many other journalists remain in captivity in the Middle East and elsewhere in the world.
"Today will be a great moment of joy for journalists and media workers who have seen a peaceful end to this terrible ordeal," said IFJ President Jim Boumelha. "We send our best wishes to Alan, his family and his colleagues."
IFJ affiliates in all parts of the world campaigned "vigorously for Johnston’s release" and their action was acknowledged by Johnston soon after he was set free, the group added.
"Palestinian journalists are delighted by the news of Alan’s release," added the leader of Palestinian Journalists Syndicate Naim Toubassi in a statement obtained by BosNewsLife. "We have sent a strong message that kidnapping journalists is an evil practice that must be ended. We salute all those who have joined us in demanding that Alan be set free."
MORE JOURNALISTS KIDNAPPED
Yet the IFJ said that the International News Safety Institute statistics show that at least 82 journalists have been kidnapped in Iraq. "Of those, 28 have been killed and six are still being held. Forty-seven journalists have been freed and the condition of one is unknown. Worldwide at least 29 journalists are being held by kidnappers," the IFJ added.
"All these cases must now be followed-up and given top priority” said Jim Boumelha. "Alan’s release must inspire the international community to take fresh action to end all kidnappings and hostage taking of media staff."
Johnson’s family said it was "overjoyed" that he had been released. "The last 114 days have been a dreadful time for us, but particularly for Alan. Through it all, we never lost hope," his family said in a statement broadcast by the BBC.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown expressed his joy Wednesday, July 4, at the release of Johnson. "I welcome the good news of Alan Johnston’s release. This will come as a great relief to his family and friends and all those who have worked to see him freed," said Brown, who took office only last week.
The British government made clear however that Johnson’s release would not have an immediate impact on its relations with Hamas, which it regards as a terrorist organization. The Palestinian territories are now divided with Hamas ruling the Gaza Strip and the internationally recognized Palestinian government of President Mahmoud Abbas ruling the West Bank. (With BosNewsLife Chief International Correspondent Stefan J. Bos and reporting from the Gaza Strip and Jerusalem).
