Edan Alexander, a dual citizen of the United States and Israel, has rejoined the ranks of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and is prepared to confront Hamas once more. This comes after Alexander’s dramatic release in May, following a 584-day ordeal as a hostage in Gaza.
Speaking at the site of the tragic Nova music festival massacre, Alexander expressed his resolve: “I know their language and culture; I understand many things about these demons. I told myself I couldn’t just set aside this experience. I need to utilize it and respond in kind.”
He continued, “I wanted Hamas to see that I am unbreakable and that I’ll reciprocate their actions. They gave me hell; now, I will return the favor.”
Alexander, who hails from Tenafly, New Jersey, was initially captured during the Hamas assault on Israel on October 7, 2023. He made his return home on June 19, having endured a lengthy period of captivity.
Now back in uniform for the first time near the Gaza border, Alexander is committed to his mission. He shared his experiences with a diverse audience of over 1,000 individuals, including Christian pastors, youth leaders, educators, and social media influencers. This assembly was part of the Ambassador Summit 2025, a week-long event in Israel that featured notable speakers like U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The former hostage was addressing a group of over 1,000 Christian pastors, youth leaders, educators and social media influencers, who are attending a week-long summit in Israel, according to The Jerusalem Post. The event, known as the Ambassador Summit 2025, included several speakers, such as U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Dr. Mike Evans, founder of the Friends of Zion Heritage Center in Jerusalem, meets with former Hamas hostage Edan Alexander. (Shlomi Amsalem)
Emily Damari, Tal Shoham, Moran Stella Yanai, and Aviva and Keith Siegel, all of whom are former Hamas hostages, also addressed the groups. The Times of Israel reported that the released hostages also received the “Here Am I Award” from Mike Evans, founder of the Friends of Zion (FOZ) museum in Jerusalem, one of the groups behind the summit.
Alexander also said he would share with the IDF information about Hamas that he gathered while in captivity.
Edan Alexander speaks with loved ones following his release. (IDF)
In September, Alexander announced at an event for “Friends of the IDF” that he intended to return to his military service. He said the 584 days he spent in captivity were “the hardest days of my life. Days of struggle, pain and separation from my family,” The Times of Israel reported.
“Next month, God willing, I will return to Israel. I will once again, put on the IDF uniform, and I will proudly serve alongside my brothers,” Alexander said, according to The Times of Israel. “My story does not end with survival. It continues with service.”
At the time of his release, Alexander was the last living American citizen held hostage in Gaza.
