Elizabeth Tsurkov
President Trump’s hostage envoy reveals why he met directly with Hamas.
The former hostage said she believes the IDF military campaign “rattled” Kata’ib Hezbollah, leading them to view their captive as a liability.
The Israeli-Russian expressed gratitude to those who helped secure her release after over two years of captivity in Iraq.
The Israeli-Russian graduate student was freed last week after two years in Kata’ib Hezbollah captivity in Iraq.
“I spoke with Emma and Avital, her sisters, and during the emotional conversation I told them that all of Israel is happy to see her back home,” said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The 38-year-old Jewish woman was kidnapped while studying for her Ph.D. dissertation.
The Iraqi kidnappers of the Israeli-Russian researcher “should consider what became of Hamas,” Emma Tsurkov tweets.
Elizabeth Tsurkov has been held captive in Iraq since March 2023 by the Iranian-backed Shi’ite militia Kata’ib Hezbollah.
Iraq’s national security adviser said authorities are also seeking to identify the group that kidnapped the Israeli-Russian researcher.
Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani “has an opportunity RIGHT NOW to show the world why he should or should not be prime minister,” said U.S. Ambassador Adam Boehler.
Adam Boehler criticized Baghdad for failing to secure the release of Princeton researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov.
“My sister will come home when there is enough pressure applied to the Iraqi government by the U.S. government to release her.”