Freed Israeli-American hostage says he will return to military service

CNN Freed Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander has broadcasted that he intends to return to Israeli military facility next month less than half a year after being circulated from Hamas captivity in Gaza Speaking publicly on Thursday for the first time since his release Alexander commented While I am free various others are still in captivity Their families are still waiting We cannot stop until everyone is home Next month with God s help I will return to Israel put on the IDF Israel Defense Forces uniform again and serve proudly alongside my brothers My story does not end with survival it continues with facility he reported at an event of the US Friends of the IDF organization FIDF in New York The -year-old grew up in the United States and moved alone to Israel at the age of to volunteer for military amenity in the IDF s Golani Brigade He was kidnapped by Hamas on October from a base near the Gaza frontier and was issued in May after days in captivity following negotiations between the US and Hamas He was the last living Israeli hostage freed from Hamas captivity The Trump administration had bypassed Israel to secure the deal with Hamas to free Alexander with US President Donald Trump framing it as a step to put an end to this very brutal war and return ALL living hostages and remains to their loved ones Hamas-affiliated Al Aqsa TV revealed that the militant group had negotiated with the US to free Alexander in exchange for the resumption of humanitarian aid into Gaza In his speech Alexander thanked Trump and his administration and urged continued efforts to release the remaining hostages There are still hostages who remain in captivity of whom are thought to be alive I want to thank President Trump and the American administration who ensured my release Without their work I would not be here with you tonight he stated adding that despite his freedom the nightmare continues for the remaining hostages Their families are still waiting We cannot forget them I dream of the day when every hostage walks free When no soldier no child and no parent will endure what I went through That day must come soon Alexander is not the only former hostage with plans to return to military function In June former Israeli hostage Liri Albag s father recounted Israeli radio that Albag would would be returning to serve in the IDF Albag was one of the four female Israeli soldiers Hamas published on January who had been taken captive on October A fifth female Israeli soldier Agam Berger was disclosed days later