Chuck Holton
Politics • Culture • News
Chuck Holton is an American war correspondent, published author, and motivational speaker.
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Israel Update for Monday:

10.03.25

Israel Cuts Electricity Supply to Gaza Amid Hostage Negotiations

Israel’s Energy Minister Eli Cohen has announced an immediate halt to electricity supply to Gaza in an effort to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages. This follows previous actions restricting goods and supplies to the region. If these measures fail, Israel is expected to escalate its response with targeted airstrikes and special forces operations, potentially forcing Palestinians who had returned to northern Gaza to evacuate once again.
(Jerusalem Post, Eli Cohen Official Announcement)

IDF Strikes Terrorists in Northern Gaza

The IDF has carried out an airstrike against a group of terrorists attempting to plant an explosive device near Israeli troops in northern Gaza. This marks another operation in Israel’s ongoing efforts to eliminate militant threats in the region.
(Jerusalem Post)

Hamas Open to Releasing Hostage Amid Ceasefire Talks

Hamas has signaled willingness to release American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander as part of ceasefire negotiations. U.S. Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs Adam Boehler has confirmed progress in talks, but Hamas is demanding a long-term truce, complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, humanitarian aid, and the release of detained terrorists as part of any agreement. Discussions have included U.S. and Egyptian officials, with Israel considering its next move.
(Israel Hayom)

Massacre of Alawites in Syria Points to Ethnic Cleansing

Hundreds of Alawites have been massacred in Syria by Islamist regime forces, with reports of executions, home burnings, and attacks on civilians in Baniyas. The Syrian Observatory has confirmed that the victims were Alawite fighters, rather than remnants of Assad’s forces. The violence has led to mass displacement, with some fleeing toward Lebanon. The Syrian Defense Ministry has now entered “phase two” of its operations, raising concerns of further bloodshed.
(Israel Hayom)

Gazan Asylum Seeker in UK Exposed as Alleged Hamas Operative

A Daily Mail exposé has revealed that a Gazan asylum seeker, “Abu Wadei,” is allegedly a Hamas operative. Social media posts show him posing with weapons and making antisemitic statements. Despite being intercepted by the British Coast Guard while entering the country illegally, he was released, sparking renewed scrutiny of Britain’s asylum system amid an ongoing surge in illegal migrant arrivals. Calls for his deportation are growing.
(Israel Hayom)

IDF Chief of Staff Assesses Troop Readiness in Southern Syria

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir has visited Israeli troops stationed in southern Syria to evaluate the security situation. He was joined by senior officers, including the head of Northern Command. Simultaneously, Brig. Gen. (res.) Ofer Sarig, the IDF comptroller, is conducting an independent inspection of the Northern Command’s operational readiness. While Israel has framed its presence in Syria as a temporary security measure, Defense Minister Israel Katz has indicated that troops will remain at nine army posts indefinitely.
(Times of Israel)

Houthis Issue Four-Day Ultimatum to Israel Over Gaza Aid Blockade

Houthi leader Abdel-Malik al-Houthi has given Israel a four-day ultimatum to lift its blockade on humanitarian aid to Gaza, threatening renewed naval attacks on Israeli shipping if demands are not met. This follows Israel’s recent decision to halt aid to Gaza, which has intensified the humanitarian crisis. The Houthis have previously targeted ships in the Red Sea as a show of solidarity with Palestinians, and their latest threat raises concerns of escalating regional conflict.
(Middle East Monitor)

IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari to Retire Amid Political Tensions

IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari has announced his retirement after two years in the position. His departure follows a decision by newly appointed IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir not to promote him. Hagari, a former tank commander who was wounded in the 2006 Lebanon War, has faced political pressure and internal reprimands for exceeding his authority in recent months. His retirement is being viewed as a de facto dismissal, and a replacement has yet to be announced.
(Mannie’s War Room)

IDF Intensifies Operations in Wadi Burqin, Near Jenin

Israeli tanks have been spotted firing machine guns in the Wadi Burqin area, west of Jenin, as part of intensified military operations in the West Bank. The offensive comes in response to increased militant activity in the region. The situation remains volatile, with reports of casualties and significant property damage. Israel’s ongoing counter-terrorism campaign in the West Bank has led to mass displacement, particularly in Jenin and surrounding areas.
(Abu ALI Telegram – Video Footage)

New Syrian Military Orders: No Filming of Executions

Reports from Syrian military sources indicate that soldiers have been explicitly warned not to film the execution of captured Alawites. This move appears to be an attempt by the Assad regime and its allies to prevent further international condemnation amid accusations of ethnic cleansing in Syria.
(Abu ALI Telegram)

Two Palestinians Injured in Explosive Device Incident

A homemade explosive device detonated in an unspecified location, injuring two Palestinians. One of the injured is reportedly in critical condition.
(Abu ALI Telegram)

More Execution Footage of Alawites Surfaces Online

New video footage has emerged showing Islamist forces executing Alawite prisoners. The brutal nature of the executions has reignited concerns about ethnic violence and religious persecution in the region.
(Behold Israel Telegram)

Attempted Assassination of Former Bat Yam Mayor

An assassination attempt has been reported against the former mayor of Bat Yam. While the details remain unclear, initial reports suggest political motives behind the attack. The case is currently under investigation.
(Jerusalem Post, Hananya Naftali Telegram)

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Is the U.S. Training Syria’s New Jihadist Army?

Very few media outlets are talking about this, but they should be — urgently.

While most of the world is distracted, U.S. troops are conducting live training exercises in Syria with the forces of the country’s new interim government, now led by Ahmed al-Sharaa — a man widely known as a former Al Qaeda affiliate.

Let that sink in.

Recent reports confirm that U.S. personnel at the Al-Tanf garrison have been training members of the so-called 70th Division, a unit formed from remnants of the Syrian Free Army, which now pledges loyalty to this new government. This comes right on the heels of a massacre of Druze civilians, allegedly carried out by those very same government-aligned forces.

Aiding the Next Generation of Jihadists?
This isn’t just a questionable policy — it could be morally catastrophic.

Druze communities, who have long sought neutrality in Syria’s civil war, were brutally attacked.

Christian populations in the region are living in fear, as radical factions become emboldened ...

00:06:03
Debunked

Debunked: Following several accusations that Israel is causing famine in Gaza, COGAT has released drone footage of the hundreds of truckloads of supplies waiting to be delivered to Gaza by the UN. A statement accompanying the footage claims that 'There is enough food here to feed all of Gaza, if the UN ever came to pick it up.

00:00:39
Did Jewish Settlers Burn a Church?

See for yourself

00:02:32
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
200k Giveaway and Thank You!

We just hit 200,000 subscribers on YouTube, and I want to say thank you. Every view, comment, prayer, and share has helped build this mission. The Hot Zone is about truth on the front lines, and you’ve helped carry it forward.

To celebrate, we’re doing a 200K giveaway. I’m giving out PDF copies of my books, including Making Men. To enter, comment when you started watching and your favorite Hot Zone moment under the video linked below.

Winners will be announced in one week. Watch here to enter:
Winners will email [email protected] to claim their prize.

Thank you for standing with us.

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Hamas Releases Images of Starving Hostage

Palestinian Islamic Jihad just released a video of Rom Braslavski.
He looks like he is in Auschwitz.

The ONLY images I’ve seen of starving men in Gaza… are the Jews held in terrorist dungeons.

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Good Morning Zonnies!!! I hope each of you are having a blessed day! Let us Pray for Israel and Chuck and Connie on their travels!

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Weaponizing Aid: Why Gaza’s Suffering Persists

Well folks, I was supposed to be on my way to Thailand right now to cover the war there. But thankfully, that war ended before I had to board a plane—praise God for that. Not just because it spared me 24 hours of cramped flights, but because it spared countless people the devastation of another conflict. So instead, I get a few extra days here in northern Armenia with my grandbaby before Nathan and I take off on our next adventure.

But let’s get to it—the big headline today is humanitarian aid. Everywhere you look, the narrative is the same: “More aid must go to Gaza. People are starving. Israel is to blame.” That’s what the media wants you to believe.

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: aid is rarely just about saving lives. Too often, it’s a weapon—used to control populations, prop up corrupt regimes, and advance political agendas.

Billions of Dollars, Decades of Aid – No Change

Global humanitarian aid tops $60 billion a year, yet places like Gaza, Haiti, Afghanistan, and much of sub-Saharan Africa remain locked in poverty and dysfunction. Why? Because aid has become an industry, not a solution.

As Graham Hancock writes in Lords of Poverty, it’s a “self-perpetuating complex” that feeds salaries, conferences, bureaucracy—and never gets judged on results. Billions pour in, but nobody asks, “Did this actually help anyone?”

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Armenia: A Love Story — Special Feature

Chuck is back in Armenia right now, and it is more than just another assignment. The couple featured in his documentary Armenia: A Love Story — Nathan and Rubina — are now expecting their second child. That means Chuck is about to welcome his sixth grandbaby, making this trip a deeply personal and memorable one.

To celebrate, we’re posting a special feature today. It is like an extended trailer for the full documentary and gives you a taste of the powerful story behind it.

If you are a paying supporter, you can watch the full version right now by searching Armenia: A Love Story in the content library.

If you are not a supporter yet, now is the perfect time to join and experience the full journey for yourself. This is a story of faith, resilience, and love in one of the world’s most complex regions.

Read full Article
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Israel at a Crossroads: Conquer, Besiege, or Capitulate?

Hey folks, Chuck Holton here—coming to you one last time from this balcony in Jerusalem before I head to Tel Aviv and then on to the next frontlines. But before I leave, I want to break down some of the most critical developments from the past week in Gaza and beyond. And believe me, there's a lot to unpack.

Three Roads for Israel

Let’s talk strategy. An analysis in Israel Hayom outlines three main options Israel faces in Gaza:

  1. Conquer Gaza: Full military occupation, boots on the ground, control every inch. But that comes at a high cost—thousands of IDF troops deployed indefinitely.

  2. Besiege Gaza: Maintain pressure without full occupation. This could include arming anti-Hamas factions—like Abu Salai’s clan in Rafah—and continuing selective strikes.

  3. Status Quo: Keep doing what they’re doing—limited incursions, hostage negotiations, and intelligence gathering. But this risks being perceived as weak and prolonging the conflict indefinitely.

As I said on Newsmax, the idea of a ceasefire right now is fantasy. Hamas still believes it’s winning—happy to let their people starve if they can pin the blame on Israel. President Trump nailed it:

“You’re gonna have to fight. You’re gonna have to clean it up. You’re gonna have to get rid of them.”

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