It was another blistering day down near the Gaza border — in more ways than one. As I stood on a familiar hilltop outside the town of Sderot, just two kilometers from the Gaza fence, the echoes of war were all around us. The dust clouds, the deep booms of airstrikes, the staccato of small arms fire — it’s not theoretical here. It’s live. And it’s real.

The View From the Front

Alongside my colleague Oscar Blue, I returned to the same overlook I’ve visited countless times since the war began. Today, we witnessed some of the most intense fighting to date. Just across the border in Beit Hanoun, Israeli Defense Forces are zeroing in on remaining pockets of Hamas resistance. Tanks and troop carriers moved back and forth, and jets screamed overhead. Israel is not letting up.

And yet, despite the active warzone just over the ridge, life in Israel continues. Families were out at pools and beaches enjoying Shabbat. Children played under the same skies where drones fly. This contrast is part of what makes Israel so remarkable. In the face of horror, life goes on. And buildings go up. The reconstruction in southern Israel is nothing short of miraculous. In Sderot and surrounding kibbutzim, new homes are rising, replacing those destroyed in the October 7th massacre.

This week, the Houthis took their war to a whole new level—sinking two commercial ships in the Red Sea in just a matter of days. First, the Magic Seas was hit and went down. Then came the Eternity C, boarded by armed Houthi fighters who planted explosives on the hull and detonated them. The shocking video released by the group shows militants moving through the ship, firing weapons into walls and windows. Most of the crew is still unaccounted for.

So why now?

By Chuck Holton
Reporting from Jerusalem, Israel

Another Strike Looms: Israel Eyes Fordow, Again

As tensions simmer just beneath the surface in the Middle East, the illusion of ceasefires continues to dominate headlines. But from the ground here in Jerusalem, the reality is far different. Israel appears to be preparing for another potential strike on Iran—particularly the Fordow nuclear facility—amid concerns that time is running out to neutralize the threat of uranium enrichment. Israeli leadership is not waiting for diplomatic ceremonies. They’ve made it clear: the truce was conditional, and they reserve the right to act if Iran continues to endanger Israeli security.

That resolve was evident in Prime Minister Netanyahu’s recent visit to Washington, D.C., where he met twice with President Trump. Despite public speculation, it’s clear Netanyahu was not simply seeking peace talks. He emphasized the necessity of "finishing the job in Gaza" and praised America’s support—particularly the determination of U.S. B2 bomber pilots—as instrumental in reshaping the conflict.

Houthi Menace: Political Theater with Real Victims

Meanwhile, in a display of violence as propaganda, the Iranian-backed Houthis released another highly-produced video showing the sinking of commercial vessels like the Magic Seas—Greek-flagged, Liberian-registered, and completely unaffiliated with Israel. These attacks aren’t strategic; they’re sensational. Poorly trained operatives parading around as commandos show that the goal isn’t military victory but media relevance.

The real tragedy? Innocent seafarers becoming casualties in a conflict they never signed up for. And with every new attack, the narrative of peace grows thinner.

The Ceasefire Charade

Despite high-level efforts—most notably by President Trump—to broker ceasefires across the region, the facts on the ground reveal continued hostilities:

• In Lebanon, Israeli forces are conducting daily drone strikes and eliminating Hezbollah leadership.

• In Syria, IDF troops continue operations, targeting Iranian militias and weapons depots.

• In Iran, mysterious explosions still rock military sites and infrastructure, hinting at covert operations.

• In Gaza, heavy IDF activity persists as troops push deeper into urban strongholds like Beit Hanoun and Khan Yunis.

These are not signs of peace. These are signs of a nation that understands its survival depends on vigilance.

The Gaza Dilemma: Feeding the War Machine?

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has now distributed over 65 million meals to civilians in Gaza—funded in large part by U.S. taxpayers. But while the aid is vital for many, it raises a vital question: at what cost?