The hostages are home, but the battle has just begun

WATCH: “True East” with Doron Spielman, Ep. 22

Oct. 16, 2025

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Israel’s fight against Hamas may be entering a new phase, but the war is far from over.

Doron Spielman, IDF spokesperson (Res.), is joined by one of the foremost authorities on modern combat: Col. John Spencer. Spencer is the executive director of the Urban Warfare Institute and host of the “Urban Warfare Project Podcast.” Recently returned from Gaza City, where he was embedded with units of the Israel Defense Forces during what may have been the final day of major ground operations, Spencer offers a look at the complexities of Israel’s war and what comes next.

Together, they examine whether the IDF has truly achieved its goals, how urban combat in Gaza has redefined modern warfare and why the destruction of Hamas’s tunnels is essential for long-term peace. Spencer also shares his firsthand impressions of U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan, which he believes marks a strategic turning point, not only for Israel but for the region.

Drawing historical parallels from post-World War II Germany and Japan, Spencer explores how military victory is only the beginning, and true success will depend on reeducation, de-radicalization and the dismantling of terrorist infrastructure. The conversation dives into the role of Arab and Muslim countries in post-war governance, the importance of international clarity and will, and the dangers of a premature withdrawal.

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Doron Spielman

Doron Spielman is the New York Times bestselling author of When the Stones Speak: The Remarkable Discovery of the City of David and What Israel’s Enemies Don’t Want You to Know, published by Hachette Book Group in May 2025. Doron is a Major in the Israel Defense Forces Reserves, where he serves as an international military spokesman, providing frontline analysis to global audiences. He has conducted hundreds of interviews with major international networks, including CNN, FOX News, NBC, ABC, BBC, and Sky News, most recently during the Swords of Iron War. He is the founder and CEO of Spielman Dynamics, a strategic consulting firm specializing in military affairs, security strategy, and geopolitical analysis. For over two decades, Doron has played a pivotal role in transforming the City of David from an overlooked hilltop into one of the most significant archaeological and historical sites in the world. As Vice President of the City of David Foundation, he worked to uncover and preserve groundbreaking discoveries that illuminate the deep historical connection between the Jewish people and Jerusalem. Doron is a Senior Fellow at the Herut Center in Jerusalem, a graduate of the Churchill Institute for National Security, and a graduate of the University of Michigan. Born and educated in the United States, he moved to Israel in 2000. Doron hosts the show “True East” on JNS TV.