Meanwhile, Palestinian officials are repeating calls for the release of the kidnapped BBC reporter Alan Johnston. Johnston has been held by unknown assailants in Gaza for nearly two months. This is Palestinian Information Minister Mustafa Barghouti.

Palestinian Information Minister Mustafa Barghouti: “We feel happy that he is in good health and in good shape, and we still demand that he would be immediately freed and released without any conditions. The best help that can be done for the Palestinian people is to release him immediately. His work in support of the Palestinian people should encourage those who are kidnapping him illegally to release him immediately and let him go back to his work, to his family in a safe manner.”