Elizabeth Tsurkov, Princeton student held captive in Iraq, is released, Trump says

"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!"

"As a culmination of extensive efforts exerted by our security services over the course of many months, we announce the release of the Russian citizen, Elizabeth Tsurkov. We reaffirm, once again, that we will not tolerate any compromise in enforcing the law and upholding the authority of the state, nor will we allow anyone to undermine the reputation of Iraq and its people,"

"Tsurkov was kidnapped from Karrada, a bustling neighborhood in central Baghdad where she had been conducting interviews. Israeli officials identified her captors as the Shiite militia called Kataib Hezbollah, an Iran-backed group that has been linked to other kidnapping attempts involving foreigners. Her release comes at a turbulent time for the region, as Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza has spilled into Lebanon, Iran and Yemen. Earlier Tuesday, Israel said it had targeted Hamas political leaders in a strike in Qatar, an attack Kataib Hezbollah condemned in a statement."

Elizabeth Tsurkov, an Israeli-Russian dual citizen and Princeton graduate student, was released in Iraq after months in captivity by Kata'ib Hezbollah. She arrived safely at the American Embassy after enduring torture, according to officials. Iraqi security services conducted extensive efforts leading to her release and emphasized enforcement of state authority. Israeli leaders communicated with her family and pledged continued efforts to recover all hostages. Tsurkov was abducted in Karrada while conducting interviews, and captors were identified as the Iran-backed Shiite militia Kata'ib Hezbollah. The release occurs amid heightened regional tensions linked to Israel's conflict with Hamas.

Read at The Washington Post