Overview
- In his first public appearance since being freed, Alexander told a Friends of the IDF gala in New York that he plans to return to Israel next month to resume service.
- The 21-year-old said he endured 584 days in Hamas captivity after being seized on Oct. 7, 2023, describing a daily fight to survive in tunnels and darkness.
- He thanked President Trump and U.S. negotiators for securing his May 2025 release and later met the president at the White House in July.
- At the time he was freed, Alexander was the only remaining U.S. citizen among the living hostages held in Gaza.
- He called for continued efforts to bring the remaining captives home, with reports citing 48 still held and about 20 presumed alive.