'Until victory!' – Former US-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander announces his return to IDF service next month at fundraising gala

Former American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander announced his expected return to the Israeli military next month while speaking at a Friends of the IDF (FIDF) gala in New York on Thursday.

“Good evening. My name is Edan Alexander. I'm 21 years old. I served in the IDF, and I was taken captive by Hamas on October 7th,” Alexander told the attendees. “On that day, I fought alongside my brothers in arms against Hamas. And after I was taken, I fought every single day to survive in captivity, in the tunnels, in the darkness.” 

Friends of the IDF is dedicated to supporting the needs of Israeli soldiers, both reserve and active duty, along with the well-being of their families. Since the start of the Iron Swords War on Oct. 7, 2023, the organization has raised over $300 million in donations. 

Alexander, the last hostage to be released, after the United States opened a rare direct communication line with Hamas, thanked U.S. President Donald Trump again during his address. 

“I was held for 584 days. Those are the hardest days of my life, days of struggle, pain, and separation from my family,” Alexander continued. “But tonight, I'm standing here free. I want to thank President Trump and the administration for securing my release. Without their work, I would not be here with you tonight.” 

After his release, Alexander met with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, who was personally involved in the negotiations for his release. 

Alexander next thanked his family before speaking of his service in the IDF. 

“To my family: my parents, my sister, my brother, thank you for never giving up on me,” he said. 

“I also want to honor the IDF. Serving 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.” 

He also spoke about the remaining hostages in Gaza and the need to make sure they are all brought back home to Israel. 

“But I must say this, while I am free, many others are still in captivity,” Alexander said. “Their nightmares continue, their families still wait. We cannot forget them. We cannot stop until they are all home. I dream of a day when every hostage will walk free, when no soldier, no child, no parent will face what I faced. That day must come soon.” 

“Tonight, we gather to support the IDF and to remember the fallen,” Alexander continued. “Let us also raise our voices for those still waiting in the tunnels, still waiting for freedom. Let us promise that we will not stop until they return.” 

As he drew near the close of his remarks, Alexander drew a great round of applause from the audience, saying, “Before I conclude, I want to share this with you. Next month, God willing, I will return to Israel. I will once again put on the IDF uniform.” 

This announcement was met with loud applause, while those in attendance rose to their feet to honor his commitment. 

“I will once again put on the IDF uniform and I will proudly serve alongside my brothers,” Alexander continued. “My story does not end with survival. It continues with service. Ad haNitzachon! (Hebrew for Until Victory!)” 

Born to Israeli parents, Alexander grew up in New Jersey before moving to Israel, where he enlisted in the IDF shortly before Oct. 7 and served in the Golani Infantry Brigade.

FIDF CEO Maj.-Gen. (res.) Nadav Padan called Alexander “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,” Padan said. 

Alexander is the third former hostage to return to IDF service, following Ori Megidish, an Israeli soldier who was rescued 23 days after being taken captive, and Liri Albag, who announced her return to service in May.