"Mr Johnston said Hamas's seizure of power in Gaza and its subsequent pledge to improve security in the territory had facilitated his release..
With Hamas having seized control in Gaza, the Hamas-lead government having been sacked by the Fatah faction, which evidently has Israel and the USA backing it up, the question of the Gaza area has a strange feel to it. I suppose a full-scale invasion by Israel (supported by United States and the international community) is just a matter of time. That'll probably provoke more violence and "terrorism" (in form of guerilla tactics). Ah, well. Why does it appear to me like a probable more stable period will be wasted with an invasion?
Given that Hamas won elections, and is now on an evident (publicity stunt?) attempt to stabilize and bring effective law enforcement to the Gaza area, wouldn't it be awfully stupid to run in with armors and spoil something that seems to have been achieved. Granted, Hamas are labeled as terrorists due to their guerilla tactics in the Israel war (and their view that Israel is a military state at large because of the type of military service, which makes for there being "no civilians" in Israel, hence everyone's a viable target). It's not like either party of that war was innocent.
Maybe they should just leave Hamas alone for a while, let them build up a level of law and stability in the area, and hope Blair doesn't royally **** up the peace talks. It all sounds unlikely, but I guess there'd be a chance of bringing some peace or at least less war to the area, granted that the Israel side of the duel doesn't bring in too many troops to Gaza.