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Elizabeth Tsurkov

October 9, 2026, 1:16 pm
Elizabeth Tsurkov: Sharaa’s Syria is no threat to Israel
The former jihadists ruling Damascus are keen to stay in power, says Middle East scholar, adding that Lebanon’s government is trying to avoid civil war, not take on Hezbollah
By Lazar Berman
An illustrative combination displaying, left to right, UAE president Mohammed bin Zayed, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the now-deceased Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP, Mandel NGAN/AFP, JOE RAEDLE/Getty Images via AFP)
September 23, 2026, 1:51 pm
Report: UAE intel warned Shin Bet of Hamas action before Oct. 7, prompting leader’s call to Netanyahu
Emirati leader reportedly phoned premier to ensure info was passed on; more details revealed of alleged similar warning by Hamas chief Sinwar shortly before onslaught
By ToI Staff
US journalist Shelly Kittleson poses for a picture in Baghdad on March 30, 2026.(AFP)
April 7, 2026, 10:31 pm
US journalist in Iraq freed one week after she was kidnapped by Kataeb Hezbollah
Freelance reporter Shelly Kittleson had been held in Baghdad, says source, and was ordered to ‘leave the country immediately’ after being released by Iran-backed militia
By AP and Jacob Magid
Abu Ali al-Askari, spokesperson of Iraqi Kataeb Hezbollah, speaks during a campaign rally in Baghdad on September 3, 2021. (AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP)
March 16, 2026, 11:09 pm
Security commander of Iraq’s Kataeb Hezbollah said killed in airstrike
Iran-backed group was responsible for kidnapping of Israeli Elizabeth Tsurkov, who says slain commander ‘was personally involved in keeping me captive’
By AFP and ToI Staff
Israeli-Russian doctoral researcher from Princeton University, Elizabeth Tsurkov, who was kidnapped in Iraq, in 2023 and released in September 2025, speaks during an interview in Ramat Gan on November 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
November 11, 2025, 1:25 pm
Elizabeth Tsurkov recovering from captivity and torture at hands of Iraqi terrorists
Kataeb Hezbollah originally kidnapped the researcher hoping to get ransom for her as a foreigner, she says, but started torturing her when they discovered she was Israeli
By Melanie Lidman
Former Israeli hostage Elizabeth Tsurkov is greeted by family and friends at Sheba Medical Center on September 10, 2025. (Yuval Yosef/GPO)
November 5, 2025, 2:45 pm
Freed hostage Elizabeth Tsurkov details torture, sexual assault by Iraqi captors
In NY Times interview, academic says captors ‘used her as a punching bag’ in early months of captivity, says she falsely confessed to being an Israeli spy to halt beatings
By ToI Staff
Elizabeth Tsurkov in an undated photo (Social media; used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
October 7, 2025, 11:17 pm
Elizabeth Tsurkov recalls her Iraqi captors were ‘overjoyed’ by news of Oct. 7
Iran-aligned terrorists turned up TV volume so she could hear about attack, says researcher, as she wishes that ‘God grant relief to the people of Gaza and the starving, injured and exhausted hostages’
By Lazar Berman and ToI Staff
Elizabeth Tsurkov prior to her captivity in Iraq. (Courtesy)
October 3, 2025, 6:07 pm
‘Finally, blessedly, free’: Elizabeth Tsurkov in 1st statement after release from Iraq
Russian-Israeli academic thanks Trump, US for orchestrating her release earlier this month; says she was freed ‘without anything given in return to the kidnappers, Kataeb Hezbollah’
By ToI Staff
Icelandic parliamentarian Birgir Thorarinsson (left) meeting in Baghdad with Rayan al-Kildani, the Assyrian Christian leader of the Babylon Movement party and its militia, the Babylon Brigade, May 3, 2025 (courtesy Birgir Thorarinsson )
September 28, 2025, 2:46 pm
From Iceland to Iran and Iraq: One man’s mission to help free Elizabeth Tsurkov
Former lawmaker Birgir Thorarinsson used connections, persistence, and nationality to convince a dangerous militia to drop its ransom demand for a kidnapped Israeli researcher
By Lazar Berman
Former Israeli hostage Elizabeth Tsurkov is greeted by family and friends at Sheba Medical Center on September 10, 2025. (Yuval Yosef/GPO)
September 15, 2025, 5:45 pm
Elizabeth Tsurkov leaves hospital days after release from captivity in Iraq
Israeli academic was hospitalized at Sheba Medical Center after two and half years as a hostage in the hands of a pro-Iran Iraqi militia
By ToI Staff
Former Israeli hostage Elizabeth Tsurkov is greeted by family and friends at Sheba Medical Center on September 10, 2025. (Yuval Yosef/GPO)
September 11, 2025, 8:53 pm
Struggling to walk, Elizabeth Tsurkov embraces loved ones after return to Israel from captivity
Freed from Iraq after being held hostage for 2.5 years, Russian-Israeli researcher tells PM of ‘harsh conditions,’ expresses hope that all hostages will return home soon
By Lazar Berman and ToI Staff
Elizabeth Tsurkov prior to her captivity in Iraq. (Courtesy)
September 11, 2025, 11:54 am
Israel’s role in Elizabeth Tsurkov’s release was minimal
Release of Israeli-Russian researcher, abducted and held in Iraq since 2023, was secured primarily through sustained pressure from DC and private intermediaries; Qatar played minor part
By Tal Schneider
Elizabeth Tsurkov, an Israeli-Russian student who was freed from 2.5 years of captivity by an Iraqi militia, is seen in an ambulance upon her arrival at Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, where she will be recovering, September 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
September 11, 2025, 12:06 am
Elizabeth Tsurkov lands in Israel following her release from captivity in Iraq
Freed academic taken to hospital in protocol similar to the one for hostages returning from Gaza
By ToI Staff
Damage is seen after an Israeli strike targeted part of a building that hosted Hamas's leaders in Doha, Qatar, September 10, 2025. (AP/Jon Gambrell)
September 10, 2025, 2:31 pm
Daily Briefing Sept. 10: Day 705 – Fallout from bold attack on Hamas leadership in Doha
Military reporter Emanuel Fabian briefs us on the strike, updates us on the war in Gaza; diplomatic reporter Nava Freiberg on the attack’s ripple effect, release of Elizabeth Tsurkov
By Amanda Borschel-Dan, Emanuel Fabian and Nava Freiberg
Elizabeth Tsurkov during a visit to Istanbul on June 2, 2017 (Facebook/used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
September 10, 2025, 12:19 pm
Elizabeth Tsurkov, released from captivity in Iraq, to return to Israel on Wednesday
Graduate student abducted in 2023 by pro-Iran militia to receive similar care to that given to hostages freed from Gaza; Lebanese report says Iraqi prisoners to be freed in exchange
By ToI Staff
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