Edan Alexander: From Hamas Captivity to IDF Service
Edan Alexander, a U.S.-Israeli citizen who endured 584 days as a Hamas hostage before his release in May, has made a powerful statement by returning to military service with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Speaking at the site of the Nova music festival massacre, Alexander addressed over 1,000 attendees at the Ambassador Summit 2025, declaring his determination to use the knowledge gained during his captivity against his former captors. “I know the language, I know their culture, I know a lot of things about these demons,” Alexander stated firmly. “I just told myself there’s no way I’ll take this present and put it aside. I have to use it and return it.” His defiant message continued with a promise to Hamas: “I wanted them to see I’ll never break, and that I’ll return the favor. You gave me hell? I’ll give you hell.”
The New Jersey native’s appearance marked his first time in uniform near the Gaza border since his release. His audience included Christian pastors, youth leaders, educators, and social media influencers gathered for a week-long summit in Israel. The event featured prominent speakers such as U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Alexander shared the stage with fellow former hostages Emily Damari, Tal Shoham, Moran Stella Yanai, and Keith and Aviva Siegel, all of whom received the “Here Am I Award” from Mike Evans, founder of the Friends of Zion museum in Jerusalem, one of the summit’s organizing groups.
Alexander’s journey from captivity to renewed military service represents an extraordinary demonstration of resilience. At the time of his release, he was the last living American citizen held hostage in Gaza, making his freedom particularly significant. During his lengthy captivity, Alexander gathered information about Hamas that he now plans to share with the IDF, potentially providing valuable intelligence for Israel’s ongoing conflict. His firsthand knowledge of Hamas operations and methods could prove invaluable to Israeli military efforts, transforming his traumatic experience into a strategic asset.
The young soldier’s commitment to return to service was first announced in September at a “Friends of the IDF” event, where he reflected on his captivity as “the hardest days of my life. Days of struggle, pain and separation from my family.” Despite these hardships, Alexander declared, “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.” This statement revealed his determination to transform his narrative from one merely of survival to one of continued service and purpose.
Alexander’s story embodies the complex human dimension of the Israel-Hamas conflict. As a dual citizen who experienced unimaginable suffering during his 19 months in captivity, he brings a unique perspective to both military service and public discourse about the ongoing war. His decision to rejoin the IDF despite his traumatic experiences speaks to a profound sense of duty and perhaps a need to reclaim agency after being held against his will for so long. For many Israelis and supporters, Alexander represents the resilience of the human spirit in the face of terrorism.
The symbolism of Alexander’s return to uniform near the Gaza border cannot be overstated. Standing at the site of the Nova music festival massacre, where the October 7, 2023, attacks began, he has come full circle from victim to active defender. His message to the international audience at the Ambassador Summit served not only as personal testimony but as a powerful statement about his unwavering commitment to Israel’s defense. As Alexander put it, “My story does not end with survival. It continues with service.” His journey from captivity to renewed military purpose offers a poignant reminder of the individual lives affected by this conflict and the extraordinary courage some find to continue fighting after enduring the unimaginable.
