Simbanese Liberation Army

Fresh from successfully "negotiating" the release of kidnapped BBC journalist Alan Johnston, Hamas officials in Gaza have now freed another hostage: a lioness named Sabrina, kidnapped two years ago by a local clan. The BBC reports:

Sabrina was kidnapped aged just three months, shortly after being brought to the Gaza Strip from Egypt.

Hamas militiamen say they freed her after a shootout with the clan members.

Zoo officials say Sabrina is in poor health and very tired, and shows signs of mistreatment.

"The thieves had cut off the end of her tail, the black hair that is considered to be the symbol of pride of African lions. I am very sad for her. She must have felt very humiliated," zoo veterinarian Saoud al-Shawa told the Reuters news agency.

He added that her captors were charging tourists to be photographed with her

There are tourists in Gaza?

And it's good to see that while the Gaza economy is in full collapse, the new Hamas government is focusing on the important issue of lion snatching.

(Hat tip to Rob)

Comments

[Abdul]

“She must have felt very humiliated,” zoo veterinarian Saoud al-Shawa told the Reuters news agency.

Animals can feel humiliation? I better get that sweater off my cockapoo.

[Xanthippas]

Ugh. This sounds like one of those “Why aren’t you guys out catching REAL criminals?” complaints that people toss out when they’re getting a ticket. I suppose the Hamas gunmen should be sitting in on economic board meetings, or generating wealth with start-up dot coms?

[Syd]

Were they fighting the gang members just to free the lioness or was her release incidental to a bigger battle?

BTW you’re missing the big story here: Hamas is now armed with lionesses.

[Sam]

Does this remind anyone else–at least a little–of the Harvey Birdman: Attourney At Law episode “Free Magilla” (S03E08, wherein Mr. Peebles hires Harvey to help recover Magilla Gorilla, who’s been kidnapped by ecoterrorists)?

I’d like to think the lioness compulsively makes horrible puns.