Israeli Researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov Freed After 18 Months in Hezbollah Brigades Captivity in Iraq

After 903 days in captivity, Israeli-Russian academic Elizabeth Tsurkov has been released by the "Hezbollah Brigades" in Iraq, U.S. President Donald Trump announced late Tuesday night. Tsurkov, a doctoral researcher at Princeton University, had been kidnapped in Baghdad in March 2023 and held hostage since.

Trump announced her release on social media, stating:

“I am happy to report that Elizabeth Tsurkov, a Princeton student whose sister is an American citizen, has just been released by the Hezbollah Brigades, and is now safely at the American Embassy in Iraq. She was tortured for many months. I will always fight for justice, and I will never give up. Hamas, release the hostages, now!”

According to a senior U.S. official, Tsurkov is expected to arrive in Israel on Wednesday for medical treatment.

Family Overjoyed: 'We Can't Wait to Hug Her'

Tsurkov’s sister, Emma, expressed overwhelming relief:

“My whole family is overjoyed. We can't wait to see her and give her all the love we've been waiting to share for 903 days. We are so grateful to President Trump and his special envoy, Adam Buehler. If Adam had not made my sister's return his personal mission, I don't know where we would be.”

Tsurkov's mother had previously criticized the Biden administration for failing to apply effective political pressure on Iraq. In contrast, she praised the current U.S. administration for taking more assertive action.

Israel Responds: Netanyahu, Herzog Thank Trump

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that he had spoken with President Trump to thank him for the release, and also personally called Tsurkov’s sisters, Emma and Avital.

"I told them in a moving conversation that the entire Israeli people are happy to see her home again," Netanyahu said.

He also thanked Gal Hirsch, Israel's Coordinator for POWs and Missing Persons, for his role in securing her release.

"We will continue to fight with determination until we bring all of our hostages home – both the living and the dead."

President Isaac Herzog also welcomed the news, calling it “great news” and adding:

"May we also hear good news about the hostages who are still being held in the hell of captivity in Gaza."

Diplomatic Backdrop: Quiet Deal

Reports from May 2025 indicated that quiet negotiations were underway between Baghdad and Washington to secure Tsurkov’s release. According to leaked details, the deal was said to involve the release of an Iranian detainee and six others accused of attacks on American targets.

Iraqi sources had suggested that Tsurkov might be transferred to a neutral third party to avoid "internal embarrassment" before release. However, no official confirmation of such a deal has been issued by either side.

Elizabeth Tsurkov, a dual Israeli-Russian citizen, entered Iraq on her Russian passport in early 2023 to conduct field research for her Ph.D. at Princeton University, focusing on Middle Eastern political dynamics. She had previously earned a master’s degree in Middle Eastern History from Tel Aviv University and a bachelor’s in Communications and International Relations from Hebrew University.

She had a long-standing academic interest in Syrian and Iraqi affairs and maintained contact with sources across the region. According to her family, the trip was carried out on her own initiative, not on behalf of any government or intelligence agency.

International Implications: Pressure Now on Hamas

Tsurkov’s release comes amid renewed pressure on Hamas to free the remaining hostages in Gaza, following Israel’s recent high-profile military and intelligence operations.

Trump concluded his social media announcement with a direct appeal:

“Hamas, release the hostages, now!”While Tsurkov's release is a moment of celebration for her family and the nation, Israeli officials emphasized that the larger mission to free all hostages is ongoing.

As Prime Minister Netanyahu noted, "We must bring everyone home – and we will."