Iraqi PM confirms release of Israeli captive Elizabeth Tsurkov

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
10 Sep 2025 01:09
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Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani confirms the release of Israeli captive Elizabeth Tsurkov, as reports indicate the move was tied to conditions regarding US troop withdrawal from Iraq.

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An article from an IOF military publication shows Tsurkov in military fatigues during her time as an intelligence analyst 2007. (Israeli media)

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani confirmed on Monday the release of Israeli captive Elizabeth Tsurkov.

United States President Donald Trump also commented on the development through his Truth Social platform. He said he was “pleased to report” that Tsurkov, a Princeton student whose sister is an American citizen, had been released by Kataib Hezbollah.

Trump added that she was transferred to the US Embassy in Iraq after what he described as “many months of torture.” He further declared that he would “always fight for justice” and concluded by demanding that “Hamas release the hostages now.”

Conditional release

According to Al Mayadeen sources, the release came under specific conditions, including preparing for a complete withdrawal of US occupation forces from Iraq without confrontation, in an effort to shield the country from further conflict.

Who is Elizabeth Tsurkov?

Tsurkov, an Israeli-Russian national, had conducted so-called “field research” in Iraq, Syria, and occupied Palestine in recent years for the Foreign Policy Research Institute in Philadelphia and the Israeli think tank Mitvim, based in occupied al-Quds. Her activities were widely regarded as a cover for espionage operations on behalf of “Israel”.

In July 2023, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu admitted that an “Israeli-Russian citizen” had been detained by an Iraqi faction, claiming she was in Iraq for academic purposes on behalf of Princeton University. It also confirmed that Tsurkov entered Iraq on her Russian passport, while Israeli officials coordinated with Russia and the US regarding her case.