Free After 903 Days: Elizabeth Tsurkov Discharged from Hospital
Israeli-Russian researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov has been released from captivity and is now out of the hospital, marking the end of a 903-day ordeal under an Iran-backed militia in Baghdad.
After a five-day stay for medical tests and rehabilitation, Israeli-Russian researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov has been discharged from Sheba Medical Center. Her release concludes a harrowing 903 days in captivity under Kataib Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militia that abducted her in Baghdad while she was conducting doctoral fieldwork for Princeton University. Tsurkov, who had entered Iraq on her Russian passport, was brought to Israel via Cyprus after Iraqi security services located her and delivered her to the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.
Upon her arrival in Israel, Tsurkov was admitted to a dedicated unit at Sheba Medical Center, where she was reunited with her family. Footage of her arrival showed her moving slowly and embracing loved ones. Her sister, Emma, shared the emotional moment when she first heard her sister was safe, stating, "We both started sobbing." Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Hostages Coordinator team spoke with Tsurkov at the hospital, underscoring Israel’s ongoing commitment to bringing all captives home.
The circumstances of her release remain the subject of debate. Iranian state media and its aligned outlets claim a prisoner exchange took place, which included the release of Lebanese captain Imad Amhaz, who was seized by Israel last year, and potentially an Iraqi detainee. However, Israel has not confirmed any such exchange, and reports in Western outlets have emphasized the role of Iraqi security services and diplomacy, not a military rescue, in securing Tsurkov’s freedom.
Kataib Hezbollah is a notorious proxy group for Iran, known for its attacks on both Israeli and American targets. The successful release of a high-profile Israeli citizen from a group of this nature is seen as a win, though some reports suggest Tsurkov had become a liability for her captors, which may have shifted their calculus. Regardless of the behind-the-scenes trade, Tsurkov's freedom is a victory for diplomacy and intelligence efforts. She is now expected to begin a long and careful recovery under the care of a specialized multidisciplinary team at Sheba, which has treated many returned captives.