Illegal Migrant From Lebanon Caught At Border Admitted He’s A Hezbollah Terrorist Hoping ‘To Make A Bomb’ — And Was Headed For NY

A Lebanese migrant apprehended while attempting to cross the border has confessed to being affiliated with Hezbollah, expressing intentions to create a bomb and revealing New York as his destination, reports The Post. Basel Bassel Ebbadi, aged 22, was intercepted by border patrol near El Paso, Texas, on March 9. During his detention, he openly admitted his plans, stating, “I’m going to try to make a bomb,” according to documents obtained exclusively by The Post from Border Patrol.

In subsequent official interviews, Ebbadi disclosed that he had undergone seven years of training with Hezbollah and had served actively for an additional four years, primarily tasked with safeguarding weapons facilities, as detailed in internal documents from ICE.

Border authorities are witnessing a surge in individuals listed on terror watchlists attempting illegal entry into the US, coinciding with a historic increase in border crossings. Hezbollah, known for its affiliation with Iran and labeled a terrorist organization, has been implicated in launching missiles into northern Israel in response to attacks by Hamas, resulting in casualties among Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) personnel and civilians.

Ebbadi cited his desire to avoid violence as his reason for fleeing Lebanon, emphasizing the impossibility of leaving once involved with Hezbollah. He entered the US without proper documentation, alleging that he was robbed while in Costa Rica, according to ICE records. Additionally, Ebbadi confessed to using false identities in Sweden, Ecuador (where he claimed his father resides), and Panama earlier this year.

Following his apprehension, Ebbadi was immediately isolated and scheduled for interrogation by the Tactical Terrorism Response Team (TTRT) due to his “terroristic threats to personnel,” as noted in internal documentation. Although marked for deportation, it remains unclear to which country Ebbadi will be repatriated.

Data reveals a significant rise in encounters with individuals on terror watchlists at both the northern and southern US borders. In fiscal year 2022, border agents recorded 98 such encounters, nearly doubling to 172 in fiscal year 2023, which concludes on September 20. As of the first four months of 2024, federal records indicate 59 apprehensions of individuals linked to terror watchlists.

Between fiscal years 2017 and 2021, only 30 encounters with individuals on terror watchlists were documented. However, subsequent changes in criteria for inclusion on the list, the specifics of which have not been disclosed, contributed to the increase in encounters.

In a separate incident shortly before former President Donald Trump’s visit to Eagle Pass, Texas, a migrant listed on a terror watchlist crossed into the area illegally, according to an internal agency memo obtained by The Post. The individual, Colombian national Carlos Obed Yepez-Bedoya, 40, was initially detained by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) before being transferred to Border Patrol custody, where officials determined his alleged terror ties.

Lieutenant Chris Olivarez of the Texas DPS emphasized the urgency of border security measures in light of such incidents, underscoring potential threats to public safety and national security. Despite perceived federal shortcomings in implementing border security measures, initiatives like Governor Abbott’s Operation Lone Star aim to mitigate security vulnerabilities and safeguard border integrity.

{Matzav.com}