“I Had to Survive for Them”: Freed Hostage Edan Alexander Breaks Silence on Life Underground

In an emotional and revealing meeting, former hostage Edan Alexander shared details of his months-long captivity under Hamas with former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Alexander, a soldier in the elite Golani Brigade who was released last week, opened up about the source of strength that helped him endure the ordeal: the belief that his comrades were fighting to bring him home.

The meeting between Alexander and Gallant, reportedly initiated by Edan’s parents who maintained close contact with the former minister throughout his captivity, took place shortly after Edan’s return to Israel. Channel 12 News reported on the conversation Tuesday evening, highlighting Edan’s resilience and the deep camaraderie that sustained him throughout his detention.

During the meeting, Gallant asked Alexander, “How did you manage to hold on to hope in captivity?” Edan’s response underscored his emotional connection to his fellow soldiers. “I knew my Golani brothers were fighting above me, for me, and I had to survive for them,” he said.

Alexander recounted the brutal conditions of his captivity. He described being moved repeatedly, often under the cover of night, to avoid detection. “It was a tough captivity. We were moved between dozens of locations; we slept in apartments, mosques, and even on the street. Once, we couldn’t make it to the next location in time, so we slept in an alley without anyone noticing,” he recalled.

Throughout his imprisonment, Edan had limited access to the outside world but was sometimes able to watch Arabic television broadcasts. These glimpses included public statements from Israeli officials, including Gallant, which he said reinforced his determination to survive.

Edan also told his family that he was held in the Gaza tunnel network under dire conditions and, at times, was kept near senior Hamas figures, including Yahya Sinwar. The details he shared offered a stark and deeply personal window into the plight of hostages still held in Gaza, and the enduring trauma such captivity inflicts.

As Edan continues his recovery, his account is a powerful reminder of the human stories behind the headlines and the strength that soldiers draw from loyalty, hope, and the bonds of brotherhood.