Edan Alexander, who was taken hostage by Hamas during the attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and released in May 2025, vowed to return to Israel in his first public remarks since being freed.
The Israeli American was a 19-year-old volunteer in the Israel Defense Forces when he was captured at his military base just one year after graduating high school. He spent 584 days in Hamas custody.
“We cannot stop until they’re all home”
Alexander, a New Jersey native, was the guest of honor Wednesday at a Friends of IDF gala in Manhattan. The organization supports the health, wellbeing and education of Israel’s soldiers and their families.
“Those were the hardest days of my life. Days of struggle, pain, and separation from my family,” he told the room full of people listening intently.
Alexander said he fought to stay alive inside dark tunnels alongside other hostages and continues to think about those still being held.
“While I am free, many others are still in captivity. Their nightmares continue. Their families still wait. We cannot forget them. We cannot stop until they’re all home,” he said.
In May, he reunited with his mother and family at a military base near Gaza after President Trump secured his release.
“My story does not end with survival”
He received a hero’s welcome when he arrived home in Tenafly in June of this year.
Alexander later visited the White House for a meeting with the president.
“I want to thank President Trump and the administration for securing my release,” Alexander said. “Without their work, I would not be here with you tonight.”
Alexander said serving in the IDF was one of the greatest honors of his life. As he pays tribute to the fallen, he vows to keep pushing until all hostages are returned.
“I will once again put on the IDF uniform and I will proudly serve alongside my brothers. My story does not end with survival. It continues with service,” he said.
Alexander said he plans to head back to Israel and return to the frontlines sometime in the next month.
