Johnston describes 'terrifying' ordeal

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Kidnapped BBC journalist Alan Johnston and Hamas leader Ismail Haniya show delight at his release.

The BBC's Gaza correspondent Alan Johnston has described his 16 weeks as a hostage of Gaza militants as "the very worst of my life."

He told a press conference that the ordeal was "appalling and occasionally terrifying," as he endured captivity "in the hands of people who were dangerous and unpredictable."

Hamas negotiators have been credited with securing his release after months of talks and a recent increase in military pressure on the compound in which the 45-year old journalist was being held.

Prior to the conference, he was welcomed by Hamas leader Ismail Haniya, who said that the efforts of his team demonstrated that his organisation "is serious in imposing security and stability and maintaining law and order in this very dear part of our homeland".

Johnston thanked everyone who had worked towards his release.

In the measured tone that BBC viewers have come to associate with Johnston's Gaza reports, he described how he was constantly chained up, but not physically harmed or tortured until just before his release when he said that militants hit him.

He never lost hope of being freed, but admitted that there were times of deep despair. "I literally dreamt many times of being free and always woke up back in that room," he revealed.

Johnston was kidnapped on 12 March by a militant group known as the Army of Islam. They demanded the release of Muslim prisoners in return for the journalist's release in videos featuring their hostage.

Hamas authorities were secretly in constant contact with the group trying to secure Johnston's release. But progress was slow until Hamas security forces took control of Gaza three weeks ago.

The abductors were then persuaded that continuing to hold Johnston was against the interests of the Palestinian people.

Johnston described how the mood changed when Hamas took control of Gaza's security. "The kidnappers seemed very comfortable and very secure in their operation until... a few weeks ago, when Hamas took charge of the security operation here," he said.

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