Netanyahu Speaks with Elizabeth Tsurkov After Her Release from Iraqi Captivity, Vows to Continue Efforts for All Hostages

By: Chaya Abecassis

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held an emotional conversation on Thursday with Elizabeth Tsurkov, the Israeli researcher recently released from captivity in Iraq, as well as with her brother, marking the culmination of a lengthy and complex effort that spanned multiple governments and international actors.

According to a report on Thursday on Israel National News, Tsurkov expressed her gratitude to Netanyahu and to all those who had been involved in securing her freedom and providing support to her family throughout the ordeal. She recounted the grim conditions of her captivity, which stretched over an extended period, underscoring both the physical and psychological hardships she endured. While speaking to the prime minister, she voiced her hope that other hostages still held by hostile forces would soon share in her relief.

Netanyahu warmly congratulated Tsurkov on her release, wishing her good health and a full recovery as she begins the difficult process of healing and reintegration. He emphasized that Israel had invested considerable efforts over a long period to secure her return, noting that her case remained a priority on the government’s agenda even as the country faced numerous other pressing security concerns.

In his remarks, the prime minister highlighted the essential role of international partners in the operation. He conveyed special appreciation to President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Special Envoy Adam Boehler for their tireless involvement, describing their contribution as indispensable to the outcome. Netanyahu also praised the work of Gal Hirsch, Israel’s Coordinator for the Hostages and Missing Persons, who, as Israel National News reported, was instrumental in orchestrating communication channels, overseeing negotiations, and ensuring Israel’s concerns were consistently addressed in talks with global partners.

The prime minister framed Tsurkov’s release not only as a personal victory for her family but also as a reminder of Israel’s unshakable commitment to every citizen taken hostage abroad. “We are working to bring back all the Israeli hostages and will continue to act resolutely and tirelessly,” Netanyahu stated, according to the report at Israel National News.

The conversation underscored Israel’s broader strategy in recent years: to leav

e no captive behind, regardless of where they are held. It also reflected Netanyahu’s determination to maintain hostage recovery at the forefront of his government’s agenda, combining intelligence, diplomacy, and security operations to achieve results.

For Tsurkov, the call marked a symbolic closure to a harrowing chapter. For Israel, it served as both a testament to perseverance and a rallying cry to continue pressing for the return of all those still missing. As the Israel National News report observed, the episode has reinvigorated national debate on how Israel balances quiet diplomacy with assertive operations in its ongoing struggle against regional adversaries who seek to exploit hostages for political leverage.

In the end, Tsurkov’s safe return is being celebrated not only as the recovery of one individual but as a reaffirmation of Israel’s enduring principle: that the State of Israel stands by its citizens, wherever they may be, and will marshal every available resource to bring them home.