Jack Sapoch
@jacksapoch.bsky.social
Borders, osint, & digital investigations / investigations @lighthousereports.com , sometimes more
Pinned
Jack Sapoch
@jacksapoch.bsky.social
· Oct 8
NEW: Since October 2023, the IDF Spokesperson's Unit has released dozens of 3D animations illustrating alleged Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iranian sites
The style is now unmistakable: satellite zoom-ins, black & white wireframes, and red-textured houses - a new visual language of war
The style is now unmistakable: satellite zoom-ins, black & white wireframes, and red-textured houses - a new visual language of war
I’m in Kuala Lumpur this week for the Global Investigative Journalism Conference #GIJC2025
If you’re attending and want to connect / talk about visual investigations, remote sensing, open-source methods, etc. definitely reach out!
If you’re attending and want to connect / talk about visual investigations, remote sensing, open-source methods, etc. definitely reach out!
November 19, 2025 at 4:17 AM
I’m in Kuala Lumpur this week for the Global Investigative Journalism Conference #GIJC2025
If you’re attending and want to connect / talk about visual investigations, remote sensing, open-source methods, etc. definitely reach out!
If you’re attending and want to connect / talk about visual investigations, remote sensing, open-source methods, etc. definitely reach out!
Reposted by Jack Sapoch
Come for the incredible reporting, stay for the “I think I felt like shitting my pants or something”: www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfWy...
This Secret Tech Tracked World Leaders, a Vatican Enemy, and Maybe You
YouTube video by Mother Jones
www.youtube.com
October 14, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Come for the incredible reporting, stay for the “I think I felt like shitting my pants or something”: www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfWy...
Reposted by Jack Sapoch
On a Saturday night I stumbled across something on the internet that made me feel like ****** my pants. A giant dataset of real surveillance operations targeting 1000s of people across nearly every country. Unraveling it and the mysterious company behind it has consumed 1.5 years of my life
October 14, 2025 at 4:49 PM
On a Saturday night I stumbled across something on the internet that made me feel like ****** my pants. A giant dataset of real surveillance operations targeting 1000s of people across nearly every country. Unraveling it and the mysterious company behind it has consumed 1.5 years of my life
Totally, the similarities there is something we discussed early on while looking into this topic. Super interesting to consider. Although in that case the illustration was from the Times of London, iirc
October 11, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Totally, the similarities there is something we discussed early on while looking into this topic. Super interesting to consider. Although in that case the illustration was from the Times of London, iirc
Reposted by Jack Sapoch
Have you seen 3D animations from the IDF showing secret Hamas hideouts?
According to Israel's +972 magazine, many have "serious spatial inaccuracies or prefabricated assets—sourced not from classified intelligence but rather from commercial libraries, content creators, and cultural institutions."
According to Israel's +972 magazine, many have "serious spatial inaccuracies or prefabricated assets—sourced not from classified intelligence but rather from commercial libraries, content creators, and cultural institutions."
How a Scottish maritime museum ended up in Israel’s 3D propaganda
An analysis of dozens of Israeli army animations discovered digital assets sourced not from classified intelligence but commercial libraries and content creators.
www.972mag.com
October 9, 2025 at 4:20 AM
Have you seen 3D animations from the IDF showing secret Hamas hideouts?
According to Israel's +972 magazine, many have "serious spatial inaccuracies or prefabricated assets—sourced not from classified intelligence but rather from commercial libraries, content creators, and cultural institutions."
According to Israel's +972 magazine, many have "serious spatial inaccuracies or prefabricated assets—sourced not from classified intelligence but rather from commercial libraries, content creators, and cultural institutions."
Definitely, this is something we also discussed parallels with early on
October 8, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Definitely, this is something we also discussed parallels with early on
Reposted by Jack Sapoch
Last week we @citizenlab.ca published an investigation into a likely Israeli-directed AI influence op targeting Iranians citizenlab.ca/2025/10/ai-e...
This superb analysis by @jacksapoch.bsky.social & colleagues of 43 official IDF videos found recycled 3D animations and spatial inaccuracies 👇
This superb analysis by @jacksapoch.bsky.social & colleagues of 43 official IDF videos found recycled 3D animations and spatial inaccuracies 👇
NEW: Since October 2023, the IDF Spokesperson's Unit has released dozens of 3D animations illustrating alleged Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iranian sites
The style is now unmistakable: satellite zoom-ins, black & white wireframes, and red-textured houses - a new visual language of war
The style is now unmistakable: satellite zoom-ins, black & white wireframes, and red-textured houses - a new visual language of war
October 8, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Last week we @citizenlab.ca published an investigation into a likely Israeli-directed AI influence op targeting Iranians citizenlab.ca/2025/10/ai-e...
This superb analysis by @jacksapoch.bsky.social & colleagues of 43 official IDF videos found recycled 3D animations and spatial inaccuracies 👇
This superb analysis by @jacksapoch.bsky.social & colleagues of 43 official IDF videos found recycled 3D animations and spatial inaccuracies 👇
Reposted by Jack Sapoch
Disinformation, now in 3D.
NEW: Since October 2023, the IDF Spokesperson's Unit has released dozens of 3D animations illustrating alleged Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iranian sites
The style is now unmistakable: satellite zoom-ins, black & white wireframes, and red-textured houses - a new visual language of war
The style is now unmistakable: satellite zoom-ins, black & white wireframes, and red-textured houses - a new visual language of war
October 8, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Disinformation, now in 3D.
Thanks for the kind words Thomas 🌱
October 8, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Thanks for the kind words Thomas 🌱
As someone who works with satellite and 3D imagery, this project reinforced how crucial it is to question what’s rendered as truth.
Keep an eye out for some follow ups in different mediums looking ahead
Full story w/ @972mag.com via Oren Ziv:
www.972mag.com/israeli-army...
Keep an eye out for some follow ups in different mediums looking ahead
Full story w/ @972mag.com via Oren Ziv:
www.972mag.com/israeli-army...
How a Scottish maritime museum ended up in Israel’s 3D propaganda
An analysis of dozens of Israeli army animations discovered digital assets sourced not from classified intelligence but commercial libraries and content creators.
www.972mag.com
October 8, 2025 at 4:58 PM
As someone who works with satellite and 3D imagery, this project reinforced how crucial it is to question what’s rendered as truth.
Keep an eye out for some follow ups in different mediums looking ahead
Full story w/ @972mag.com via Oren Ziv:
www.972mag.com/israeli-army...
Keep an eye out for some follow ups in different mediums looking ahead
Full story w/ @972mag.com via Oren Ziv:
www.972mag.com/israeli-army...
Over the months, we gathered material and analysis before working with colleagues @srfnews.bsky.social, @972mag.com, and @theferret.scot to bring the investigation together for their respective audiences.
SRF International podcast (via Susanne Brunner) www.srf.ch/audio/intern...
SRF International podcast (via Susanne Brunner) www.srf.ch/audio/intern...
Realistische Fantasy: Die 3D-Erklärvideos der Israelischen Armee
Die israelische Armee erklärt Angriffe auf Ziele in Gaza und Libanon in Videos mit 3D-Grafiken. Der angebliche Beweis für Terror-Zentralen in Spitälern und Häusern ist jedoch irreführend.
www.srf.ch
October 8, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Over the months, we gathered material and analysis before working with colleagues @srfnews.bsky.social, @972mag.com, and @theferret.scot to bring the investigation together for their respective audiences.
SRF International podcast (via Susanne Brunner) www.srf.ch/audio/intern...
SRF International podcast (via Susanne Brunner) www.srf.ch/audio/intern...
I started working on this research in my spare time with a small group of fellow journos/artists — Nicole Vögele, @jakecharlesrees.bsky.social , & Robin Kötzle — after noticing recurring patterns in IDF 3D videos last year
The Ferret (via @billybriggs24.bsky.social): theferret.scot/idf-scottish...
The Ferret (via @billybriggs24.bsky.social): theferret.scot/idf-scottish...
October 8, 2025 at 4:58 PM
I started working on this research in my spare time with a small group of fellow journos/artists — Nicole Vögele, @jakecharlesrees.bsky.social , & Robin Kötzle — after noticing recurring patterns in IDF 3D videos last year
The Ferret (via @billybriggs24.bsky.social): theferret.scot/idf-scottish...
The Ferret (via @billybriggs24.bsky.social): theferret.scot/idf-scottish...
The TikTok outlines that a specific goal of these animations is to multiply their reach by cultivating secondary coverage
And indeed, dozens of major outlets like BBC, CNN and Sky News have aired them, in part or in full, often without context
And indeed, dozens of major outlets like BBC, CNN and Sky News have aired them, in part or in full, often without context
October 8, 2025 at 4:58 PM
The TikTok outlines that a specific goal of these animations is to multiply their reach by cultivating secondary coverage
And indeed, dozens of major outlets like BBC, CNN and Sky News have aired them, in part or in full, often without context
And indeed, dozens of major outlets like BBC, CNN and Sky News have aired them, in part or in full, often without context
These videos are produced in-house by a small animation cell in the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit, working mainly in After Effects + Blender
In a TikTok posted after Israel's June attacks on Iran, soldiers describe working weeks under “prime-minister-level secrecy” to prepare visuals
In a TikTok posted after Israel's June attacks on Iran, soldiers describe working weeks under “prime-minister-level secrecy” to prepare visuals
October 8, 2025 at 4:58 PM
These videos are produced in-house by a small animation cell in the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit, working mainly in After Effects + Blender
In a TikTok posted after Israel's June attacks on Iran, soldiers describe working weeks under “prime-minister-level secrecy” to prepare visuals
In a TikTok posted after Israel's June attacks on Iran, soldiers describe working weeks under “prime-minister-level secrecy” to prepare visuals
One of the earlier and most-viewed examples was an animation of Al Shifa Hospital, published in October 2023.
The “underground command room” was recycled from a 2022 IDF animation of an UNRWA school in Tel Al-Hawa; the street above was built from prefab @kb-3d.bsky.social storefronts
The “underground command room” was recycled from a 2022 IDF animation of an UNRWA school in Tel Al-Hawa; the street above was built from prefab @kb-3d.bsky.social storefronts
October 8, 2025 at 4:58 PM
One of the earlier and most-viewed examples was an animation of Al Shifa Hospital, published in October 2023.
The “underground command room” was recycled from a 2022 IDF animation of an UNRWA school in Tel Al-Hawa; the street above was built from prefab @kb-3d.bsky.social storefronts
The “underground command room” was recycled from a 2022 IDF animation of an UNRWA school in Tel Al-Hawa; the street above was built from prefab @kb-3d.bsky.social storefronts
These assets have been used in IDF videos as recently as September 5, in an animation of the Mushtaha Tower in Gaza City, which was destroyed by Israeli airstrikes the same day
In this video the ground itself is a patch-work quilt of third-party scans of pavement & parking lots
In this video the ground itself is a patch-work quilt of third-party scans of pavement & parking lots
October 8, 2025 at 4:58 PM
These assets have been used in IDF videos as recently as September 5, in an animation of the Mushtaha Tower in Gaza City, which was destroyed by Israeli airstrikes the same day
In this video the ground itself is a patch-work quilt of third-party scans of pavement & parking lots
In this video the ground itself is a patch-work quilt of third-party scans of pavement & parking lots
Others assets came from scans made by the Scottish Maritime Museum of their boat-building workshop which was downloaded (via @sketchfab.bsky.social) and reimagined by the IDF adornments for underground missile factories.
October 8, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Others assets came from scans made by the Scottish Maritime Museum of their boat-building workshop which was downloaded (via @sketchfab.bsky.social) and reimagined by the IDF adornments for underground missile factories.
Hubert's assets, created as decorations for cyberpunk cityscapes, are used especially widely in animations that the IDF released during their strikes on Iran in June.
Ripped assets from Hubert are shown here in stills from IDF animations, with blue highlights:
Ripped assets from Hubert are shown here in stills from IDF animations, with blue highlights:
October 8, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Hubert's assets, created as decorations for cyberpunk cityscapes, are used especially widely in animations that the IDF released during their strikes on Iran in June.
Ripped assets from Hubert are shown here in stills from IDF animations, with blue highlights:
Ripped assets from Hubert are shown here in stills from IDF animations, with blue highlights:
We traced over 30 unique assets to Washington-based 3D creator Ian Hubert, who makes bespoke models created for his sci-fi project Dynamo Dream, available to his Patreon subscribers.
Scans of parking lots, antennas, and pipes were repurposed as Hamas and Iranian military sites
Scans of parking lots, antennas, and pipes were repurposed as Hamas and Iranian military sites
October 8, 2025 at 4:58 PM
We traced over 30 unique assets to Washington-based 3D creator Ian Hubert, who makes bespoke models created for his sci-fi project Dynamo Dream, available to his Patreon subscribers.
Scans of parking lots, antennas, and pipes were repurposed as Hamas and Iranian military sites
Scans of parking lots, antennas, and pipes were repurposed as Hamas and Iranian military sites
Many of these “illustrations” aren’t based on verified intelligence at all.
Our analysis of 43 official IDF videos found recycled 3D environments, spatial inaccuracies, and assets lifted from unrelated artists and institutions.
Our analysis of 43 official IDF videos found recycled 3D environments, spatial inaccuracies, and assets lifted from unrelated artists and institutions.
October 8, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Many of these “illustrations” aren’t based on verified intelligence at all.
Our analysis of 43 official IDF videos found recycled 3D environments, spatial inaccuracies, and assets lifted from unrelated artists and institutions.
Our analysis of 43 official IDF videos found recycled 3D environments, spatial inaccuracies, and assets lifted from unrelated artists and institutions.
NEW: Since October 2023, the IDF Spokesperson's Unit has released dozens of 3D animations illustrating alleged Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iranian sites
The style is now unmistakable: satellite zoom-ins, black & white wireframes, and red-textured houses - a new visual language of war
The style is now unmistakable: satellite zoom-ins, black & white wireframes, and red-textured houses - a new visual language of war
October 8, 2025 at 4:58 PM
NEW: Since October 2023, the IDF Spokesperson's Unit has released dozens of 3D animations illustrating alleged Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iranian sites
The style is now unmistakable: satellite zoom-ins, black & white wireframes, and red-textured houses - a new visual language of war
The style is now unmistakable: satellite zoom-ins, black & white wireframes, and red-textured houses - a new visual language of war
Reposted by Jack Sapoch
Appears the same National Guard UH-72 Lakota 11-72212 that dusted protesters in downtown D.C. in 2020 (noted by @giancarlofiorella.bsky.social) is back in D.C.'s skies again. Not clear for what purpose, though did a similar route on Sept. 1.
FlightRadar24 link: www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraf...
FlightRadar24 link: www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraf...
September 3, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Appears the same National Guard UH-72 Lakota 11-72212 that dusted protesters in downtown D.C. in 2020 (noted by @giancarlofiorella.bsky.social) is back in D.C.'s skies again. Not clear for what purpose, though did a similar route on Sept. 1.
FlightRadar24 link: www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraf...
FlightRadar24 link: www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraf...
What’s the target, brother?
July 24, 2025 at 5:53 PM
What’s the target, brother?