(CNN) — Freed Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander has announced that he intends to return to Israeli military service next month, less than half a year after being released from Hamas captivity in Gaza.

Speaking publicly on Thursday for the first time since his release, Alexander said: “While I am free, many 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 service,” he said at an event of the US Friends of the IDF organization (FIDF) in New York.

The 21-year-old grew up in the United States and moved alone to Israel at the ag

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