Israeli-Russian Graduate Student Released After 900 Days in Iraq

Elizabeth Tsurkov, a Princeton University graduate student with Israeli and Russian citizenship, has been released after being held captive for over 900 days in Iraq by the Iranian-backed Kata’ib Hezbollah militia, according to U.S. President Donald Trump and her family. Trump announced her release on social media, stating she had been tortured for many months and is now safely at the American Embassy in Baghdad. Iraqi officials confirmed the release resulted from negotiations, including conditions such as the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq and assurances that the U.S. and Israel would not carry out strikes there. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani highlighted the extensive efforts of Iraqi security services in securing her freedom and emphasized the commitment to upholding Iraq’s sovereignty. Tsurkov was abducted in March 2023 while conducting research on sectarianism in the region, and her family expressed relief and gratitude to those involved in her release. President Trump also used the announcement to call on Hamas to release hostages held in Gaza following their attacks on Israel.