Bruce's MidEast Soundbites - 5 new articles

🗺️ For the first time ever, explore the underground war Hamas is waging beneath Gaza.

We've mapped Hamas’ tunnel network—buried under homes, hospitals, & schools. Built with open-source data, it’s the only resource of its kind.

Explore the map here: https://t.co/wYMZloV7fh pic.twitter.com/rCf0fr7EMS

— HonestReporting (@HonestReporting) April 24, 2025

   

Something in the Air 

The pieces are falling into place. Trump and Netanyahu are in alignment.
Iran is bracing for impact, and the final signs suggest this is not posturing—it’s happening. Soon.

The visit of CENTCOM Commander Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla to Israel today was unscheduled. It came as Netanyahu, Trump, and Pentagon officials have been holding high-level talks, fulling aligning the detailed strategy for the next major steps.

Iran has taken the message seriously, publicly announcing it expects Israeli strikes and raising its alert level to their highest.

Israel accelerated the return of hostage bodies and finalized prisoner releases. These were not last-minute concessions but calculated moves to clear the decks before the storm.

The delay in the Netanyahu show trial after a classified briefing by the top security officials was highly unusual.

The countdown has begun. The only remaining questions now:
How massive with the strike(s) be? How successful with they be?

Israel appears to be tying up loose ends. Iran is bracing for impact. The signs are everywhere. If you’re paying attention, you can feel it in the air.
[Virtual Jerusalem] 

   

"Iran does not possess the capability to deploy ground forces against Israel, given the vast geographical distance. Moreover, Iran's air capabilities are limited. Iran had counted on its network of proxies to provide a protective umbrella against Western strikes. However, this strategy lies in tatters: Hamas is reeling, Hizbullah is on the back foot, and the various militias in Iraq and Yemen are little more than an irritant for Israel. Thus, Iran finds itself unexpectedly exposed."

- Ariel Kahana
Source: Israel HaYom