Freed Hostage Returns to Gaza Border in IDF Uniform
Edan Alexander, an American-Israeli released from captivity, made a striking return to the Gaza border this week. Clad in an IDF uniform, he confronted the Hamas militants who had held him underground for 584 days, declaring, “You gave me hell. I will give you hell back.” He insisted that his journey didn’t end with his release; rather, his service continues.
Speaking at the site of the Nova Music Festival massacre on Wednesday, Alexander addressed over a thousand attendees, including Christian pastors, educators, and social media figures, during the Ambassador Summit 2025, hosted by Friends of Zion founder Mike Evans and the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Now 21, Alexander was the last American hostage in Gaza when he was freed in May. He explained that his return to the border—close to where he was abducted on October 7—was a deliberate act aimed at sending a clear message to Hamas.
“I know their language, their culture, and a lot about these demons,” he said about his captors. “I can’t just take this experience and set it aside. I want them to understand that I will never be broken.”
Alexander was born in Tel Aviv and moved to the United States as a baby. He grew up in New Jersey and Maryland, ultimately deciding, as a Jew and a Zionist, to join the Israel Defense Forces instead of pursuing higher education.
He arrived in Israel in August 2022, became part of the elite Golani Brigade, completed his training, and was deployed to the Gaza region. On October 7, 2023, he was stationed near Kibbutz Kisfim, just 700 meters from the Gaza fence, when Hamas launched an unexpected attack, overpowering his unit and capturing him.
During his 18 months in captivity, Alexander endured severe conditions, often suffering from malnutrition and forced to consume seawater and dirty bread. Reports indicate he faced brutal treatment, described by him as “a year of hell,” including being caged and interrogated for long periods. It’s believed Hamas utilized him as a human shield due to his American nationality, keeping him near senior operatives.
He was released in May with former President Donald Trump’s mediation shortly before Trump’s regional visit. Following his handover to the Red Cross, Alexander didn’t return to the location of his detention but was later taken to the Israeli military and met with Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, who greeted him warmly. Alexander recounted that his captors had treated him differently after the U.S. presidential election, fearing the incoming administration.
In September, he announced his intention to resume military service at an IDF Friends event in the U.S., calling the days he spent in captivity the “toughest” of his life. He stated, “Next month, God willing, I will return to Israel. I will once again put on the uniform of the Israel Defense Forces and serve with pride alongside my brothers.” His story, he emphasized, does not end with survival; his service continues.
At the Nova site on Wednesday, he reflected on the necessity of fulfilling his entire military commitment, not just the ten months prior to his abduction. “I realized that after a year and seven months in captivity, I couldn’t just stop here. I need to make it through two years and eight months, or even more,” he explained.
He viewed his return to the Gaza border as a way to “close the circle,” vowing to use the knowledge he gained during his ordeal to help defend Israel.
The Ambassador Summit delegation, reportedly the largest Christian group ever to visit Israel, is meeting with various Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The group has also heard from several freed hostages who shared their experiences.
Alexander’s family supports his decision to return to military service. His mother expressed her surprise but felt it was a necessary step for his healing after such a long captivity.
His presence at the border underscores his resolve: “I survived, I came back, and I will never give up.” He reiterated, “You gave me hell? I’ll give you hell back.”
