On Tuesday (September 9), Elizabeth Tsurkov, an Israeli-Russian graduate student, was freed by the Kata’ib Hezbollah after 903 days of abduction. She had entered Iraq to conduct research for Princeton University, which is when she went missing. And it was later learned that she was kidnapped by Kata’ib Hezbollah. She spent over two years in captivity, and now, after her release, US President Donald Trump shared a post on social media announcing the same.&nbsp;“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!” Trump wrote in his TruthSocial post.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hamas-responds-to-trump-s-last-warning-over-gaza-hostage-deal-says-1757293132110">Hamas responds to Trump's 'last warning' over Gaza hostage deal, says...</a>&nbsp;Elated about her sister's release, Emma Tsurkov wrote on X, "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. If Adam had not made my sister’s return his personal mission, I do not know where we would be."&nbsp;She added, “We also want to thank Josh Harris and his team at the US Embassy in Baghdad for the support they provided to our sister and the team at the nonprofit Global Reach who advocated relentlessly for my sister's safe return.”&nbsp;<h2>About &nbsp;Elizabeth Tsurkov</h2>&nbsp;She was a PhD student at Princeton University and a fellow at the New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy. During her research in Iraq in 2023, she went missing. It is believed she has entered the country with her Russian passport. Tsurkov was in Iraq to complete her research work, and she was abducted from a cafe in Karrada area, as reported by AFP.&nbsp;&nbsp;Israeli authorities have said that Kata’ib Hezbollah had a hand in the kidnapping, but the group has distanced itself from the claims. According to her bio, the doctoral student was passionate about human rights and was active on X, where she was seen publishing her work.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Israeli-Russian student Elizabeth Tsurkov was kidnapped by Kata’ib Hezbollah in 2023 and released on Tuesday (September 9).

Israeli-Russian student Elizabeth Tsurkov was kidnapped by Kata’ib Hezbollah in 2023 and released on Tuesday (September 9).

Who is Elizabeth Tsurkov? Israeli-Russian student freed by Kata’ib Hezbollah after 903 days

Israeli-Russian academic Elizabeth Tsurkov, who was reportedly kidnapped in Iraq in March, was seen alive in a video shown by Iraqi pro-militia Telegram channels on Monday (Nov 13).&nbsp;

Earlier in July, Israeli authorities had revealed that Tsurkov had been kidnapped. Israel alleged that pro-Iranian militants were behind the kidnapping.&nbsp;

Now, in a video aired by Al Rabiaa TV, Tsurkov was seen wearing a black shirt and speaking to the camera in Hebrew.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canadian-police-release-cctv-footage-of-indian-origin-gangsters-killing-658206">Canadian police release CCTV footage of Indian-origin 'gangster's killing</a>&nbsp;

The video, which was also shared on the Telegram channels of pro-Iranian armed groups in Iraq, lasted for a little more than four minutes.&nbsp;

However, it can't be confirmed when exactly the video was shot, or other details such as who the captors are, and more.&nbsp;

In the video, the 37-year-old can be heard calling for an end to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war and also asks to act for her release. She also said that she had been detained for more than seven months.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hamas-held-some-of-october-7-hostages-in-a-hospital-alleges-israel-658221">Hamas held some of Oct&nbsp;7 hostages in a hospital, alleges Israel</a>&nbsp;

Tsurkov is a doctoral student at Princeton University and a fellow at the New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy.&nbsp;

She said in the video that she had worked for Israeli and US intelligence agencies in Syria and Iraq.

In a report by HAARETZ, it was mentioned that Tsurkov, who is a dual Israeli-Russian citizen, entered Iraq earlier this year using her Russian passport.&nbsp;

The report has said that she has often done this for her work doctorate and academic research at Princeton University as she is an expert on the Middle East.&nbsp;

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BREAKING: 
 
⚡️The Islamic Resistance in Iraq captures an <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Israeli?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Israeli</a> Mossad agent named “Elizabeth Tsurkov” and documents her confessions.. <a href="https://t.co/u1lz0hjEsU">pic.twitter.com/u1lz0hjEsU</a>
— Megatron (@Megatron_ron) <a href="https://twitter.com/Megatron_ron/status/1724175461436031069?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<h2>What did Israel say?&nbsp;</h2>

After the latest video surfaced, neither her family nor Israeli authorities have commented.&nbsp;

But an announcement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office was made in July, which stated that Tsurkov "is still alive, and we consider Iraq responsible for her fate and wellbeing".&nbsp;

Later in July, the Iraqi government said it had launched an investigation concerning her disappearance but has not announced any findings since.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.&nbsp;

Israeli-Russian academic Elizabeth Tsurkov, who was reportedly kidnapped in Iraq in March, was seen alive in a video shown by Iraqi pro-militia Telegram channels on Monday (Nov 13).

Israeli-Russian academic Elizabeth Tsurkov, who was reportedly kidnapped in Iraq in March, was seen alive in a video shown by Iraqi pro-militia Telegram channels on Monday (Nov 13). Earlier in July, Israeli authorities had revealed that Tsurkov had been kidnapped. Israel alleged that pro-Iranian militants were behind the kidnapping. Now, in a video aired by Al Rabiaa TV, Tsurkov was seen wearing a black shirt and speaking to the camera in Hebrew. Also read: Canadian police release CCTV footage of Indian-origin 'gangster's killing The video, which was also shared on the Telegram channels of pro-Iranian armed groups in Iraq, lasted for a little more than four minutes. However, it can't be confirmed when exactly the video was shot, or other details such as who the captors are, and more. In the video, the 37-year-old can be heard calling for an end to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war and also asks to act for her release. She also said that she had been detained for more than seven months. Also read: Hamas held some of Oct 7 hostages in a hospital, alleges Israel Tsurkov is a doctoral student at Princeton University and a fellow at the New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy. She said in the video that she had worked for Israeli and US intelligence agencies in Syria and Iraq. In a report by HAARETZ, it was mentioned that Tsurkov, who is a dual Israeli-Russian citizen, entered Iraq earlier this year using her Russian passport. The report has said that she has often done this for her work doctorate and academic research at Princeton University as she is an expert on the Middle East. BREAKING: ⚡️The Islamic Resistance in Iraq captures an #Israeli Mossad agent named “Elizabeth Tsurkov” and documents her confessions.. pic.twitter.com/u1lz0hjEsU — Megatron (@Megatron_ron) November 13, 2023 × What did Israel say? After the latest video surfaced, neither her family nor Israeli authorities have commented. But an announcement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office was made in July, which stated that Tsurkov "is still alive, and we consider Iraq responsible for her fate and wellbeing". Later in July, the Iraqi government said it had launched an investigation concerning her disappearance but has not announced any findings since. (With inputs from agencies) Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

Elizabeth Tsurkov: Israeli-Russian academic, kidnapped in Iraq, seen alive for the first time in months

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Who is Elizabeth Tsurkov? Israeli-Russian student freed by Kata’ib Hezbollah after 903 days

Elizabeth Tsurkov: Israeli-Russian academic, kidnapped in Iraq, seen alive for the first time in months