What we know so far about Elizabeth Tsurkov, the Israeli-Russian scholar released after over two years in Hezbollah captivity

Elizabeth Tsurkov, an Israeli-Russian scholar and Princeton doctoral student, has been freed after more than two years in captivity by Kata’ib Hezbollah, US President Donald Trump announced on social media on Tuesday, September 9. Tsurkov, who was kidnapped in Baghdad in March 2023 by the Iran-backed militia, is now reportedly “safely in the American Embassy in Iraq after being tortured for many months,” Trump said.

“I am pleased to report that Elizabeth Tsurkov, a Princeton Student, whose sister is an American Citizen, was just released by Kata’ib Hezbollah (MILITANT Hezbollah), and is now safely in the American Embassy in Iraq after being tortured for many months. I will always fight for JUSTICE, and never give up. HAMAS, RELEASE THE HOSTAGES, NOW!” the US president wrote in a TruthSocial post. The Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani also confirmed this.

Her sister, Emma Tsurkov, who has long advocated for Elizabeth’s release, shared her relief on social media following the announcement.


“My entire family is incredibly happy. We cannot wait to see Elizabeth and give her all the love we have been waiting to share for 903 days. We are so thankful to President Trump and his Special Envoy, Adam Boehler,” she wrote on X.

Who is Elizabeth Tsurkov?

Elizabeth Tsurkov, 38, is a Russian-Israeli academic who pursued doctoral studies at Princeton University. She entered Iraq in January 2023 on her Russian passport to conduct field research for her dissertation, a fact later confirmed by Princeton officials.

She was abducted on March 21, 2023, in Baghdad’s Karrada district while attempting to meet members of the Alwani family, including a senior Kataib Hezbollah official, according to the news portal Shafaq. Her Israeli citizenship was subsequently discovered, prompting her kidnapping. Although Kataib Hezbollah initially denied involvement, Iraqi television aired footage in November 2023 confirming that she was alive.

According to her website, Tsurkov’s research focuses on the Levant, particularly the Syrian uprising and civil war, with an emphasis on how civilians experience war and state violence and engage in conflict and peaceful civil movements. She is fluent in English, Hebrew, Russian, and Arabic and holds fellowships at the Newlines Institute for Strategy and Policy and other research institutions.