Former Hostage Liri Albag Detained at JFK After U.S. System Flags Her as Still Captive

Liri Albag, a 19-year-old former Israeli hostage who endured 477 days in Hamas captivity, was briefly detained by U.S. immigration authorities at New York’s JFK Airport after arriving for a vacation with friends, as reported by Ynet and N12. Albag, who was abducted from the Nahal Oz military base during the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, was held for approximately one hour because U.S. systems erroneously listed her as still captive. Her father, Eli Albag, told Ynet, “Their data still showed her as kidnapped, they hadn’t updated their computers. It’s just a vacation. Liri didn’t panic. It wasn’t pleasant - but it’s over.”

Albag, a former IDF lookout, was released in January 2025 as part of a hostage deal and has since advocated for the 57 Israelis still held in Gaza. Upon landing, U.S. officials, suspecting possible identity fraud, questioned her, as her status triggered an alert. Eli Albag explained to N12, “She was still registered as a hostage, they thought someone was entering under her identity.” Liri was allowed one phone call, contacting her father and then her mother, Shira, who alerted the IDF and other Israeli authorities. Despite the Israeli Consulate in New York being closed for Memorial Day weekend, Consul General Ofir Akunis ensured her swift release, allowing her to proceed with her vacation. Eli confirmed to Mako, “We’ve reached the hotel, and everything is fine, it’s behind us.”

The incident, resolved through rapid intervention by Israeli officials, was described as a potential diplomatic issue that authorities worked to mitigate to spare Albag further distress. The outdated U.S. database shows the challenges in international coordination following hostage releases. Albag’s detention underscores the lingering impact of her 16-month ordeal, during which Hamas’s attack killed 1,200 and abducted 251. Her resilience and advocacy continue to draw attention to the ongoing hostage crisis, with Israel and the U.S. maintaining close cooperation to address such incidents.