Edan Alexander announced his plans to return to serve in the IDF next month while speaking at a Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) gala in New York.
“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,” he said to a sold-out crowd of 1,200 on Wednesday night. “My story does not end with survival; it continues with service.”
Alexander, 21, served in the Golani Brigade and was the last live hostage held in Gaza who had US citizenship. He was released after 584 days in captivity.
“I want to thank [US] President [Donald] Trump and the administration for securing my release,” he said. “Without their work, I would not be here with you tonight.”
Alexander: Serving in the IDF 'a great honor'
Alexander described his time in captivity as “the hardest days of my life.” He continued, “I also want to honor the IDF. Serving in the IDF is one of the greatest honors of my life. To the soldiers who continue to defend Israel and to the families of the fallen, I carry your sacrifice with me always.”
During his speech, he made note of the 48 hostages still held in captivity.
“I dream of the day when every hostage will walk free. When no soldier, no child, no parent will face what I faced,” he said.
FIDF CEO Maj.-Gen. (res.) Nadav Padan said Alexander “is an inspiration to us all. We are profoundly grateful for Edan’s safe return, and we salute the extraordinary efforts of the IDF and the soldiers who never stop fighting to bring their brothers and sisters home.”
More than $306 million has been mobilized by the FIDF since the Hamas massacre on October 7 to address the needs of Israeli soldiers, veterans, and families.