Edan Alexander, a U.S.-Israeli citizen freed from Gaza in May after 584 days of captivity, has re-donned his Israel Defense Forces (IDF) uniform, prepared to confront Hamas.
Speaking at the site of the Nova music festival massacre, Alexander stated, “I am familiar with their language, their culture, and many aspects concerning these adversaries. I resolved not to disregard this experience but to utilize it and retaliate.”
He further added, “My intention was for [Hamas] to understand that I would not be broken, and that I would reciprocate. If you inflicted hell upon me, I will inflict hell upon you.”
The New Jersey native also noted that this marked his first time in uniform near the Gaza border since his release from hostage-taking.
The former hostage addressed a gathering of over 1,000 Christian pastors, youth leaders, educators, and social media influencers participating in a week-long Israeli summit, as reported. The event, named Ambassador Summit 2025, featured notable speakers such as U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Other former Hamas hostages, including Emily Damari, Tal Shoham, Moran Stella Yanai, and Aviva and Keith Siegel, also spoke to the attendees. Reports indicate that these freed hostages were presented with the “Here Am I Award” by Mike Evans, who founded the Friends of Zion (FOZ) museum in Jerusalem and represents one of the organizations sponsoring the summit.
Alexander additionally stated his intention to share intelligence he collected during his captivity with the IDF.
During a “Friends of the IDF” event in September, Alexander declared his plan to resume military service. According to The Times of Israel, he described his 584 days as a captive as “the hardest days of my life. Days of struggle, pain and separation from my family.”
“Next month, God willing, I will go back to Israel. I will once more wear the IDF uniform, and I will serve with pride alongside my comrades,” Alexander was quoted by The Times of Israel as saying. “My narrative doesn’t conclude with mere survival; it extends through service.”
At one point, Alexander was reportedly the final living American citizen held hostage in Gaza.