Fresh developments have emerged in efforts to secure Elizabeth Tsurkov's release, as Israel Hayom has learned that her family met yesterday with senior officials and international mediators. The gathering, which took place in central Israel, brought together Brigadier General (ret.) Gal Hirsch, Israel's coordinator for prisoners and missing persons, along with foreign counterparts whose nations maintain a diplomatic presence in Iraq.
Sources with direct knowledge of the meeting revealed to Israel Hayom that the discussions centered on leveraging these foreign intermediaries' diplomatic channels to advance negotiations for Elizabeth's return. This represents the first public confirmation of Israel's strategic efforts to secure her release through diplomatic intermediaries. The meeting, orchestrated by Hirsch, included Elizabeth's two siblings and foreign mediators who explored various diplomatic avenues.
Regional developments may offer cause for cautious optimism, particularly the recent halt in militia attacks from Iraqi territory against Israel. A high-ranking diplomatic official expressed hope that the current positive momentum across regional fronts might "create the opportunity to bring Elizabeth home."
The meeting follows recent reporting by Emirati outlet Aram News, which three days ago revealed that a Western diplomatic team has been engaging with various Iraqi political factions to negotiate Elizabeth's release. She has been held by militias since her kidnapping in Baghdad in March 2023. According to the Emirati report, the diplomatic team comprises several Western representatives conducting informal discussions aimed at establishing effective negotiation channels.
The last confirmation of Elizabeth's wellbeing came through video footage released in November 2023, over a year ago. The four-minute recording showed her delivering demands regarding the Gaza conflict, along with other statements evidently scripted by her captors.
