I just returned from Israel, and let me tell you—things are heating up over there. The sheer volume of daily attacks coming out of Judea, Samaria, and Hebron is staggering, but it barely makes international news anymore. While there, I got an incredible firsthand look at what Israelis are facing, and I want to share one story that highlights the reality on the ground.

An American Marine vs. a Terrorist with a WWII Submachine Gun

One of the most remarkable interviews I did was with Dave, a former U.S. Marine who made aliyah to Israel and now serves as a security coordinator in Samaria. A few days ago, he was driving with his wife when a terrorist armed with a World War II submachine gun stepped into the road and opened fire on their windshield.

But Dave wasn’t your average target. He had his hand on his weapon, trained and ready. The second the gunman fired, Dave shot back through his own windshield, hitting the attacker multiple times and neutralizing him. If it had been almost anyone else, they likely would have died on the spot.

This story underscores why Israelis need self-defense training. While I was there, I visited a new training center being built to help Israeli civilians prepare for these daily threats. It’s not a luxury—it’s a necessity.

Israel’s Response: Destroying Terrorist Homes, But Is It Enough?

Israel’s current policy is to demolish the homes of terrorists as a deterrent. The problem? It doesn’t work. The Palestinian Authority immediately rebuilds these houses, and the families receive financial rewards. Instead of stopping terror, this system encourages it.

According to Dave, Israel should take a more decisive approach—seizing entire neighborhoods where terrorists come from and driving out their supporters. Harsh? Maybe. But in a war for survival, half-measures won’t cut it.

The Chaos in Syria: Massacres and Misinformation

Meanwhile, Syria is in flames. Reports indicate that over 10,000 people have been massacred, but independent verification is nearly impossible. Terror groups like Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)—a rebranded version of Al-Qaeda—are systematically wiping out Alawites and Christians.

What makes it worse is the flood of fake videos spreading online. Russian, Iranian, and North Korean-backed bot farms are muddying the waters, making it nearly impossible to separate truth from fiction. This is modern information warfare, and it's working.

The U.S. Pullout from Syria: A Dangerous Power Vacuum

One of the biggest geopolitical shifts happening right now is the U.S. withdrawal from Syria. The Kurdish forces, once strong U.S. allies, are now being forced to submit to HTS just to survive. That means thousands of ISIS fighters currently imprisoned could soon be back on the battlefield.

As I’ve warned for years, when America creates a power vacuum, extremists fill it. We may soon regret pulling out, just like we did in Afghanistan.

Iran has reportedly ordered its 12 proxy groups worldwide to prepare for war against Israel and the United States, signaling that Tehran expects a major strike against its nuclear program. This escalation has global implications, but let’s break down what it really means.

Who Are the 12 Proxies?

Iran’s most well-known proxy, Hezbollah, has been significantly weakened after months of intense fighting with Israel. Reports indicate that Hezbollah has suffered heavy losses and is struggling to regroup. Financially, it’s also taken a hit—just days ago, $2.5 million in cash being flown into Beirut was intercepted.

But Hezbollah is just one piece of the puzzle. Iran is also ramping up support for:

• Hamas (Gaza)
• Houthis (Yemen)
• Al-Shabab (Somalia)
• Various Iraqi and Syrian militias under the Hashd al-Shaabi umbrella
• Terror groups in Sudan

However, the West Bank (Judea and Samaria) may be Iran’s most critical focus right now. Israel has been intercepting shipments of weapons and explosives smuggled through Jordan—some as heavy-duty as anti-tank rockets, machine guns, and Claymore mines. This could indicate that a new front is being prepared inside Israel itself.

Is a U.S. or Israeli Strike on Iran Imminent?

Iran’s sudden call to arms suggests Tehran believes an attack is coming—and for good reason. Both Israel and the U.S.have openly discussed the threat of Iran’s nuclear program, and now, the Pentagon has approved a massive arms saleto Israel, including 35,000 Mark 84 bombs.

These 2,000-pound bombs can flatten entire buildings and penetrate 10 feet of reinforced concrete—but not deep enough to destroy Iran’s fortified nuclear sites. The only weapon capable of such destruction is the Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), a 30,000-pound bunker buster—which can only be carried by U.S. B-2 stealth bombers.

The U.S. has recently moved B-52 bombers into the Middle East and flown missions over the region—a classic intimidation tactic. If an attack is coming, Israel would likely need direct U.S. military involvement.

The West Bank: The Next Gaza?

While much of the world focuses on Gaza, the situation in Judea and Samaria (West Bank) is growing more volatile. The IDF has been conducting near-daily counterterror raids there, uncovering major weapons stockpiles meant for attacks inside Israel. If Iran has its way, the next phase of this war won’t be fought across borders—but inside Israel itself.

Hamas Makes a New Demand

Hamas, for its part, has issued an ultimatum: No more hostage releases until Israel completely withdraws from Gaza.Israel, of course, has zero intention of doing that—which means more fighting is almost inevitable.

What Happens Next?

With Iran calling on its proxies, Hamas refusing to release hostages, and Israel arming up for a major battle, this war is far from over. Whether a direct U.S.-Israeli strike on Iran actually happens remains to be seen—but one thing is clear: the conflict is only intensifying.