Finalize consensus to implement the May 27, 2024, agreement on the exchange of hostages and prisoners.
Continue all first-stage procedures during stage two negotiations.
Guarantors of the agreement will ensure negotiations continue until an agreement is reached.
2. Israeli Forces Withdrawal
Israeli forces to withdraw eastward from densely populated areas near the Gaza border, including Wadi Gaza (Netzarim axis and Kuwait roundabout).
Deployment perimeter established at 700 meters, with exceptions for five localized points up to an additional 400 meters south and west of the border, as per agreed maps.
3. Prisoner Exchange
Release 9 ill and wounded individuals from the list of 33 in exchange for 110 Palestinian prisoners with life sentences.
Israel to release 1,000 Gazan detainees from October 8, 2023, not involved in events on October 7, 2023.
Exchange elderly prisoners (men over 50) at a 1:3 life sentence + 1:27 other sentences ratio.
Release Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed based on a 1:30 exchange, plus 47 Shalit prisoners.
Additional Palestinian prisoners to be released abroad or to Gaza per agreed lists.
4. Philadelphi Corridor
Israeli forces to reduce presence gradually during stage one, as per agreed maps.
Full withdrawal of Israeli forces to begin after the last hostage release on day 42 and complete by day 50.
5. Rafah Border Crossing
Rafah crossing to be prepared for transferring civilians and wounded after releasing all women (civilian and soldiers).
Israeli forces to redeploy around the Rafah Crossing following attached maps.
Daily transfer of 50 wounded individuals, each accompanied by three persons, with approvals from Israel and Egypt.
Crossing operations to follow August 2024 discussions with Egypt.
6. Exit of Ill and Wounded Civilians
All ill and wounded Palestinian civilians to cross via Rafah border crossing per section 12 of the May 27, 2024, agreement.
7. Return of Unarmed Internally Displaced (Netzarim Corridor)
Return process follows the May 27, 2024, agreement sections 3-a and 3-b.
Day 7: Internally displaced pedestrians return north via Rashid Street without arms or inspections.
Day 22: Additional return routes open via Salah a-Din Street without inspections.
Vehicles and non-pedestrian traffic return after private company inspections, as determined by mediators in coordination with Israel.
8. Humanitarian Aid Protocol
Humanitarian aid to follow protocols agreed upon under mediator supervision.
If you have wondered why Russia is losing so many men and Ukraine is not, this will help explain it. Russia is sending men into the front lines where they are killed by drone operators from Ukraine who are hundreds of miles away from the front lines.
Episode 622 - Field Producer Dennis Azato and Chuck Reminisce
My erstwhile field producer and cameraman Dennis Azato has accompanied me on ten years of adventures across the globe. Today he joins me in Ukraine and we spend some time remembering our many trips together.
Episode 622 - Field Producer Dennis Azato and Chuck Reminisce
Episode 622 - Field Producer Dennis Azato and Chuck Reminisce
Israel Finally Recognizes the Armenian Genocide: A Long-Overdue Stand for Truth
In a historic move announced today, June 28, 2026, the Israeli government unanimously approved a resolution formally recognizing the Armenian Genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire in the final years of World War I. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, who spearheaded the effort, called it a “moral and historical duty,” emphasizing the need to condemn any denial, minimization, or distortion of the slaughter of up to 1.5 million Armenians.40
This decision marks a significant break from decades of Israeli hesitation, driven largely by geopolitical calculations involving Turkey.
No more.
Israel, a nation born from the ashes of the Holocaust, is affirming that some truths demand recognition regardless of diplomatic blowback. As one Israeli leader put it years ago, the failure to confront the Armenian Genocide helped pave the way for worse atrocities—including the one that nearly wiped out the Jewish people.
We can walk in love (Ephesians 5:1–2), because we have been permanently rooted and founded in God's love in Christ Jesus — at the moment of our conversion via the Gospel message (Ephesians 3:17, the perfect tense in this verse communicates this truth). Again, we can fully love God, and also our neighbors, in the very character of divine agape love, since we've truly been born again of Him who Himself defines love (1 John 4:7-8)!
We can do all things that pertain to God's will, for we have power, and love and self-control in Him (2 Timothy 1:7).
Let us take heart and not look to our natural abilities but to Jesus Christ — to the Author and Perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). For He makes us holy.
The Ceasefire Is Over. Now the Real Question Is Whether Anyone Wants to End This War.
Just days after Washington announced what was supposed to be the first step toward de-escalation with Iran, the fighting has resumed.
Iran struck the Singapore-flagged cargo vessel MV Ever Lovely in the Strait of Hormuz, reportedly using a one-way attack drone that punched a massive hole through the ship's hull. The United States responded with airstrikes against Iranian missile launch sites, drone storage facilities, radar installations, and command centers along Iran's southern coast.
Predictably, Tehran declared that it had retaliated against American forces in the region, although independent confirmation of those claims has yet to emerge.
For anyone hoping the recent diplomatic breakthrough had ended the crisis, this latest exchange should erase those expectations.
The ceasefire, such as it was, never had much chance of surviving.
It Was Never Really a Ceasefire
One of the biggest misconceptions surrounding the recent agreement is the belief that Iran signed a formal ceasefire.
It didn't.
What was signed was a memorandum of understanding—a preliminary framework expressing a willingness to continue negotiations. It was not a binding peace agreement, nor did it permanently settle the issues that brought both countries to the brink of war.
Almost immediately after the memorandum was announced, Iran attempted to expand its scope by demanding that the United States restrain Israel's military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Israel was never a party to the agreement.
And while diplomats debated language, Hezbollah continued launching rockets and drones into northern Israel, prompting additional Israeli retaliation.
From the beginning, the diplomatic framework rested on assumptions that simply did not exist on the battlefield.
The Strait of Hormuz Remains the Center of Gravity
The attack on the Ever Lovely was not random.
It reflects Iran's long-standing effort to assert greater control over the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important maritime chokepoints.
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In a recent live stream, I mentioned that I'm spending part of this summer with the young men at Frontier Forge Institute. It's a tremendous program that's investing in the next generation by teaching leadership, discipline, service, and a Biblical foundation for life. It's been a privilege to be part of what they're doing.
I also mentioned my book, Making Men, and several of you asked where you could get a copy.
Although it's written primarily for young men, I also wrote it with my daughters in mind. I wanted them to understand the kind of man worth waiting for, encouraging, and someday marrying. Strong families begin with men and women who understand what Biblical character looks like.
If you have a son, a daughter, a grandson, a granddaughter, or anyone trying to navigate adulthood with wisdom and purpose, I hope this book will be an encouragement.
I've included a copy for our Locals community below.
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Welcome to the frontlines of truth and perspective! The Holton Family couldn’t be more excited to have you join us in this incredible space.
This isn’t just a platform—it’s a movement grounded in faith, courage, and a commitment to walking the path Jesus set before us. We’re building a community of people who value truth and freedom, who aren’t afraid to shine a light in the darkest corners of the world and trust that God has a plan even in the midst of chaos.
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