Hamas have secured the release of Alan Johnson - thank-you - by a Go, Go, Go to extricate him from his captives 'The Army of Islam'.

That's excellent news.

It's a relief to have to some good news from the Middle East.

He will certainly have a story to tell now. He was very lucky to get out of that situation alive. Human life carries little currency in the middle-east. Thinking back to widescale coverage of the Ken Bigley abduction and murder in Iraq, it was interesting how large sections of the media went very quiet over the murder of Margaret Hassain and other killings. One can't help but think that New Labour, after Ken Bigley, did their level best to play down future embarrassing hostage situations through news management.

It is fantastic news Dave - thank-you. But my heart sank in the 'tuck shop' when I saw all newspapers (including the Independent) had NHS terror on the the front pages.

The people's media, the BBC, have given strength to the Hamas prime-minister (a democratically elected leader) and to the people of Palestine. We, the British public have cosseted and embraced Hamas.

Now the British people MUST protect Hamas and move to unite the people in the West Bank with Gaza.

Demote the American leaders stooge who cares not for his people or the distress in Gaza. Lets see the American leaders stooge put some money into Gaza to allay the suffering of so many innocent.

Turn a blind eye to the media for they had time to press and rejoice for Alan.

-------------SHAME ON YOU BRITISH PRESS----------------

To be fair, scrubs, the story broke too late to make the morning papers.

But I agree - it's time Hamas was seen in a different light.

Excellent news and I'm truly surprised. I thought that Johnston would have been dead a long time ago.

Yorkie, What? as nice guys? forget it! Hamas aren't (nor are any of the other lot in this troubled piece of geography)

I am glad Johnson made it.. I wonder what kind of deal was made.. we will never know.

Jonjii, there aren't too many nice guys in the west either. I'm beginning to think you don't know too much about the dreaded, demonised H-guys... ever read their CVs?

This morning I read that Johnston, asked if he would ever return to Gaza, said "maybe I'll go back when it's a member of the EU" (Al Jazeera). A joke no doubt, but also a poke at Israel's preposterous manoeuvres to become an EU member.