Elizabeth Tsurkov, an Israeli-Russian researcher recently released after two years in captivity by a Shiite militia in Iraq, has shared her reflections on the events of October 7, 2023, while she was imprisoned. She recalls her captors' elation upon hearing news of the attack, noting that the information she received suggested only military sites were targeted. Tsurkov expresses deep sorrow for the suffering endured by both the people of Gaza and the hostages, describing the situation as a catastrophe she could not have fully imagined. She calls for relief for all those affected, criticizing leaders for prioritizing their own power over the well-being of innocent people.