Former captive of Hamas is expressing a desire to re-enlist in the military
In a poignant speech at an event hosted by the private US organisation FIDF in New York, Israeli citizen Edan Alexander, who was previously held captive by Hamas in the Gaza Strip for 548 days, announced his intention to return to military service.
Alexander, who holds dual citizenship with the US, described his time as a captive as "the hardest days of my life." His captivity took place in the dark tunnels under the coastal strip of the Gaza Strip. He recounted days of struggle, pain, and separation from his family.
Alexander was kidnapped among more than 250 people during the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Hamas claimed to have distributed captives across several neighborhoods in the city of Gaza to stop the controversial Israeli offensive. There are reportedly 20 still alive hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, including some German captives, out of about 48 hostages in total according to Israeli information as of September 2025. The captives include Israelis such as Guy Gilboa-Dalal, Eli Scharabi, Or Levy, and Ohad Ben Ami, among others.
Despite his freedom, Alexander urged that many others are still captive in the Gaza Strip. He concluded his speech with the phrase "To victory."
Notably, Alexander was released in May as part of an agreement between Hamas and the US, without Israeli involvement. After his release, he plans to return to Israel next month and put on the IDF uniform again.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is the official military of Israel. Alexander's decision to return to military service underscores his commitment to his country and his desire to contribute to its security. His story serves as a powerful reminder of the challenges faced by those who serve their country and the resilience required to overcome them.
