GAZA CITY // A British journalist has been released from Hamas custody after a month's detention and is on his way out of the Gaza Strip. Paul Martin was arrested on February 14 in a court in Gaza where he had intended to testify on behalf of a Palestinian militant charged with collaborating with Israel. Hamas officials accused Mr Martin of being a security threat, but did not charge him. Mr Martin was the first foreigner to be arrested since Hamas seized Gaza in 2007.
Mr Martin was freed from a Hamas lock-up today and made his way to Gaza's Erez crossing into Israel. He was accompanied by British diplomats. Hamas says Mr Martin signed a pledge not to return to Gaza. Mr Martin has produced reports for the British Broadcasting Corp. and The Times of London. * AP
