According to a report by The Times Of Israel, Elizabeth Tsurkov, the Russian-Israeli scholar who spent nearly two and a half years in captivity after being abducted in Iraq, has spoken publicly for the first time since her release earlier this month
Tsurkov was kidnapped in 2023 by the Shiite militia Kataeb Hezbollah while conducting research in Baghdad. She was freed on September 10 after 903 days as a hostage, in what US officials described as a complex and carefully coordinated rescue effort.
In a message posted on X, Tsurkov expressed relief and gratitude. “Finally, blessedly, free after 903 days in captivity,” she wrote. She specifically thanked the United States for leading the effort to secure her freedom, crediting the administration of President Donald Trump. “Thank you President @realDonaldTrump, for the decisive action that brought me home without anything given in return to the kidnappers, Kataeb Hezbollah,” she said.
Her statement also acknowledged the individuals who played a central role in the mission. Tsurkov praised US Special Envoy for Hostage Response, Adam Boehler, as well as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, for their dedication and persistence. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who tried to help in any way,” she added.
Tsurkov, a Princeton doctoral candidate known for her research on the Middle East, had traveled to Iraq to continue her academic work when she was abducted. Her case drew international attention and calls from human rights organizations for her release.
Her recent words highlight both the personal toll of her prolonged captivity and her appreciation for the diplomatic and intelligence efforts that ended it. For now, she has not disclosed details about her condition or future plans but made clear her deep sense of relief and gratitude toward those who stood by her.
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