His message to the terrorists who tortured him is unmistakable: the soldier they tried to break is returning to the battlefield, this time on his terms.
A delegation of one thousand Christian leaders and influencers visiting Israel for the Friends of Zion Museum’s tenth anniversary witnessed an emotional and unforgettable scene when recently freed hostage Edan Alexander stepped onto the stage in full IDF uniform.
It was the first time he had worn his military gear in public since emerging from Hamas captivity, transforming the event into a moment of national pride and defiance.
Alexander, who became the last known living American hostage in Gaza, has described his ordeal as “years of hell,” held in tunnels, safe houses, mosques, and schools while losing a quarter of his body weight.
His family and community campaigned relentlessly for his release, turning his case into a symbol of both Hamas brutality and Israeli resilience.
Since returning home, Alexander has vowed that his story “does not end with survival; it continues with service,” saying he will proudly wear the IDF uniform again “until victory.”
His message to the terrorists who tortured him is unmistakable: the soldier they tried to break is returning to the battlefield, this time on his terms.
Several other recently released hostages, including Emily Damari, Tal Shoham, Moran Stella Yanai, and Aviva and Keith Siegel, also addressed the group and received the “Here Am I” Award for raising global awareness of the hostages’ ordeal.
The delegation is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog, and senior security officials during its visit.
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