Elizabeth Tulkov Released After Two-Year Captivity

Elizabeth Tulkov, 38, a graduate student affiliated with Russia, Israel, and Princeton University, has been freed after being held by Iraqi Iranian-supported militias for over two years. Her release occurred on Tuesday evening.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commented on the situation, stating:

Today, we celebrate the return of Elizabeth Tulkov, an Israeli citizen who was in Iraq in March 2023.

Efforts directed by the hostages and missing persons coordinator, St. Gen. (Res.) Gal Hirsch, continued for months. Eventually, these efforts led to her release.

I had an emotional conversation tonight with her mother and sister, Avital. They were overwhelmed with happiness to welcome her home.

We will persist in our endeavors to regain all our hostages and ensure justice for their families.

Tulkov was abducted while conducting research in Iraq and Syria, specifically in Baghdad.

Reports from the Associated Press indicate she was held by a Shia group, Kataeb Hezbollah. This group lost its leader in a U.S. airstrike in January 2020, and General Qasem Soleimani, a notable Iranian commander, was also killed in the same conflict.

Her family expressed immense relief and gratitude, particularly towards President Donald Trump and Adam Berer, the special envoy responsible for hostage negotiations.

It’s important to note that Tulkov’s detention was unrelated to the attacks on October 7, 2023, when Hamas took Israeli hostages. Nonetheless, Israel has continued its operations against Hamas leaders, particularly in Doha and Qatar, affecting future negotiations.