Moreover, Fatah’s multiple security services and militias, including preventive security, military intelligence and general intelligence, failed to act against the kidnappers, whose identity was known to many. Hamas’s success in freeing the British reporter may not help the movement in the short-term because there is no chance that the international community will rush to embrace the Islamic movement. But some British and European politicians have already hailed Hamas’s role in freeing Johnston, with some going as far as calling on their governments to recognise Hamas and negotiate with its leaders.

Even some Israelis are now talking openly about the need to talk to Hamas because it has demonstrated its ability to impose law and order in the areas under its control. Hamas is hoping that the release of Johnston is just the first step toward winning international recognition. As one Hamas official put it: “Now the world knows who the boss is in the Gaza Strip.” Yet Hamas’s messages are directed not only to the international community, but toward the rival Fatah faction and the Palestinians in the West Bank as well.

The release of the reporter is also intended to send a message to the Palestinians in the West Bank that contrary to what Fatah leaders are telling them, Hamas is capable of imposing law and order. Johnston’s release is also undoubtedly a severe blow to the credibility of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and his corruption-riddled and disunited Fatah party, who have yet to explain why they had failed where Hamas succeeded. Fatah leaders were quick to announce that the whole affair was a ploy. Some claimed that Hamas was one of the parties responsible for the kidnapping of Schalit, while others said Hamas had paid the captors millions of dollars. Yasser Abed Rabbo, a senior advisor to Abbas, described the release of Johnston as a “movie.”

... contd.