Former Hamas Hostage Detained by ICE After Computer Mix-Up

Key Points Summary โ€“ Former Hostage Detained by ICE

  • Former Israeli hostage Liri Albag detained by ICE at JFK Airport
  • The system flagged her as still held by Hamas despite her release in February
  • She was held for 477 days after the October 7 attacks
  • Albag was released during a brief cease-fire earlier this year
  • Her father says the incident was โ€œunpleasant,โ€ but resolved quickly

ICE Flags Released Hostage as Still Missing

Israeli woman Liri Albag, who survived 477 days of brutal captivity by Hamas, was detained againโ€”this time at JFK Airport by U.S. immigration officers who believed she was still being held hostage.

Albag, 19, had traveled to New York with friends on vacation when American customs systems raised a red flag. According to Channel 12 News, the Israeli television outlet that first reported the story, the system had not yet updated her hostage status.

System Fails to Reflect Her Freedom

ICE agents reportedly questioned Albag for nearly an hour upon arrival, concerned that her identity might have been stolen or faked. Officials believed it was possible someone else was using her name, assuming she remained in captivity.

Her father, Eli Albag, told Israeli media the incident was quickly resolved. โ€œTheir system still showed her as a hostage. They hadnโ€™t updated the records. Itโ€™s just a vacation. Liri wasnโ€™t stressed. It was unpleasant, but it passed,โ€ he told Ynetnews.

Survivor of Hamas Horror in Gaza

Albag had been captured by Hamas militants on October 7, 2023, while serving as a lookout with the Israeli Defense Forces at the Nahal Oz base near the Gaza border. She was taken into Gaza and held for nearly 16 months.

Her release came in February as part of a fragile cease-fire deal brokered by Qatar. That agreement briefly paused the violence and saw a limited number of hostages freed before the truce collapsed.

โ€œWe Were Simply Afraidโ€

In her first televised interview since her release, Albag recounted the terror of her abduction and the long nightmare of captivity. โ€œThey told us, โ€˜If you listen to us, we wonโ€™t kill you. Youโ€™re coming with us to Gaza.โ€™ And we told them, โ€˜Yes, take us to Gazaโ€™ because we were simply afraid,โ€ she told Channel 12.

โ€œThe truth is that October 7 feels like one long nightmare, and Iโ€™ve been waiting for someone to wake me up,โ€ she added. โ€œBut that didnโ€™t happen. Unfortunately, this has all been real.โ€

No Official Apology, But No Drama

There has been no formal apology issued by ICE or the Department of Homeland Security. However, sources say the incident is being reviewed, and steps may be taken to update flagged databases more quickly in cases involving international hostages.

Albagโ€™s father praised his daughterโ€™s resilience, saying she handled the unexpected scrutiny in New York with calm. โ€œShe was ready for anything,โ€ he said. โ€œSheโ€™s been through worse.โ€

TOP HEADLINES

Fenway Park Strike: Concessions Halt for Dodgers vs. Red...

In a spirited protest outside Fenway Park, vendors took to the streets before the...

Grenade Disappears After L.A. Explosion Killing 3 Deputies

A grenade has gone missing from the site of an explosion at a Los...

Ohtaniโ€™s HR streak halted in Dodgersโ€™ victory at Fenway

BOSTON โ€” The Los Angeles Dodgers secured a 5-2 win over the Boston Red...

White Sox, Quero shine in 12-5 victory over Cubs

CHICAGO โ€” The Chicago White Sox were in commanding form on Friday night, securing...

Reds Triumph Over Rays: Stephenson Shines with 3 RBIs

CINCINNATI โ€” In an impressive display, Tyler Stephenson powered the Cincinnati Reds to a...

Raducanu, Fernandez Secure Washington Semifinal Spots

WASHINGTON โ€” Emma Raducanu has powered her way into the semifinals of the D.C....
USLive
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.