Thomas Bordeaux
@thomasbordeaux.bsky.social
Freelance OSINT Researcher, @CNN.com
Bylines in @bellingcat.com, Member: Bellingcat Global Authentication Project
DM's open, Signal: thomas.411
Bylines in @bellingcat.com, Member: Bellingcat Global Authentication Project
DM's open, Signal: thomas.411
Over the summer, dozens of people went missing at Gaza’s Zikim crossing, where Israeli forces routinely gunned down Palestinian aid seekers.
We’ve now found evidence suggesting they bulldozed some of the people they killed into shallow, unmarked graves.
We’ve now found evidence suggesting they bulldozed some of the people they killed into shallow, unmarked graves.
Bulldozed corpses and unmarked graves, CNN investigates the fate of Gaza’s missing aid seekers | CNN
Ammar Wadi knew he was risking his life when he set out to get a bag of flour for his family from an aid truck near the Zikim crossing into Gaza in June.
www.cnn.com
December 3, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Over the summer, dozens of people went missing at Gaza’s Zikim crossing, where Israeli forces routinely gunned down Palestinian aid seekers.
We’ve now found evidence suggesting they bulldozed some of the people they killed into shallow, unmarked graves.
We’ve now found evidence suggesting they bulldozed some of the people they killed into shallow, unmarked graves.
Reposted by Thomas Bordeaux
NEW: We tracked over 200 US military flights conducted in the Caribbean since mid-August by 83 separate aircraft, including intelligence-gathering planes and tankers used to refuel jets in midair
With @natashabertrand.bsky.social
www.cnn.com/2025/10/19/w...
With @natashabertrand.bsky.social
www.cnn.com/2025/10/19/w...
Here’s what the US military has positioned in the Caribbean as Trump pressures Venezuela | CNN
The US military has been steadily massing a large number of troops, naval and air assets in the Caribbean over the last two months, conducting training missions off the coast of Venezuela, reopening a...
www.cnn.com
October 19, 2025 at 5:29 PM
NEW: We tracked over 200 US military flights conducted in the Caribbean since mid-August by 83 separate aircraft, including intelligence-gathering planes and tankers used to refuel jets in midair
With @natashabertrand.bsky.social
www.cnn.com/2025/10/19/w...
With @natashabertrand.bsky.social
www.cnn.com/2025/10/19/w...
Reposted by Thomas Bordeaux
When Bashar al-Assad’s regime collapsed in Syria, many of the officials who enabled and enforced his brutal regime disappeared. Our reporting uncovers who they are, what they did and where they fled. nyti.ms/3J1W5Cs
The Vanishing Act: How Assad’s Top Henchmen Fled Syria, and Justice
www.nytimes.com
October 16, 2025 at 12:06 PM
When Bashar al-Assad’s regime collapsed in Syria, many of the officials who enabled and enforced his brutal regime disappeared. Our reporting uncovers who they are, what they did and where they fled. nyti.ms/3J1W5Cs
Caught on satellite: a B-52 bomber flies above the Caribbean on October 15th, less than 150 miles from the Venezuelan coast. More on the escalating US military campaign here: www.cnn.com/2025/10/15/p...
October 15, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Caught on satellite: a B-52 bomber flies above the Caribbean on October 15th, less than 150 miles from the Venezuelan coast. More on the escalating US military campaign here: www.cnn.com/2025/10/15/p...
This is an absolutely brilliant piece and well worth the read - "'I think the visual lexicon of open-source investigation is something that the Israelis have co-opted as a way to try to delegitimize [those investigations] and confuse,' said Elizabeth Breiner..."
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 5:06 PM
This is an absolutely brilliant piece and well worth the read - "'I think the visual lexicon of open-source investigation is something that the Israelis have co-opted as a way to try to delegitimize [those investigations] and confuse,' said Elizabeth Breiner..."
Reposted by Thomas Bordeaux
I wrote about how vicarious trauma can find you when you least expect it, through two experiences that I've had while working with images as an open source researcher.
Neither were graphic.
Both had a serious impact on me.
giancarlofiorella.com/2025/10/04/w...
Neither were graphic.
Both had a serious impact on me.
giancarlofiorella.com/2025/10/04/w...
When Trauma Finds You
Sometimes, trauma finds you while you’re waiting for it, when your body is tense anticipating its appearance. Your guard is up. Somehow, you soften its blows. Sometimes, though, trauma finds …
giancarlofiorella.com
October 4, 2025 at 9:29 PM
I wrote about how vicarious trauma can find you when you least expect it, through two experiences that I've had while working with images as an open source researcher.
Neither were graphic.
Both had a serious impact on me.
giancarlofiorella.com/2025/10/04/w...
Neither were graphic.
Both had a serious impact on me.
giancarlofiorella.com/2025/10/04/w...
Reposted by Thomas Bordeaux
On Aug 25, Israeli defense forces attacked a Gaza hospital, killing our colleague Hussam al-Masri. We spent the last few weeks reviewing footage and interviewing witnesses. The visual evidence contradicts Israel’s official story.
www.reuters.com/investigatio...
www.reuters.com/investigatio...
Visual evidence upends Israel’s official story for deadly attack on Gaza hospital
Israeli troops say they targeted a Hamas camera in an August strike, but a Reuters investigation found the device belonged to one of the news agency’s journalists. An Israeli official now says troops fired without required approval. The five journalists who died in the strike are among 200 killed by Israel that it has yet to fully explain.
www.reuters.com
September 26, 2025 at 12:50 PM
On Aug 25, Israeli defense forces attacked a Gaza hospital, killing our colleague Hussam al-Masri. We spent the last few weeks reviewing footage and interviewing witnesses. The visual evidence contradicts Israel’s official story.
www.reuters.com/investigatio...
www.reuters.com/investigatio...
We analysed satellite imagery over Gaza City in the last month and found that the Israeli military has damaged or destroyed at least 1800 buildings - the opening moves of its stated intention to invade and occupy the city. w/ Zeena Saifi
Satellite images reveal wide destruction in Gaza City as Israel steps up assault | CNN
In the weeks since Israel announced plans to take over Gaza City, its military has destroyed or damaged more than 1,800 buildings in and around the city, CNN analysis has found.
www.cnn.com
September 14, 2025 at 12:08 PM
We analysed satellite imagery over Gaza City in the last month and found that the Israeli military has damaged or destroyed at least 1800 buildings - the opening moves of its stated intention to invade and occupy the city. w/ Zeena Saifi
Reposted by Thomas Bordeaux
NEW: Israel struck Nasser Hospital at least 4 times in its attack which killed journalists, BBC Verify found.
We found Israel hit two staircases in the first wave. Minutes later it struck one of the staircases twice more.
@benedictgarman.com @sebkilli.bsky.social
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
We found Israel hit two staircases in the first wave. Minutes later it struck one of the staircases twice more.
@benedictgarman.com @sebkilli.bsky.social
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Israel struck Gaza's Nasser Hospital four times, analysis finds
New footage has revealed that two more strikes were carried out on hospital by Israel than initially reported.
www.bbc.co.uk
August 29, 2025 at 7:18 AM
NEW: Israel struck Nasser Hospital at least 4 times in its attack which killed journalists, BBC Verify found.
We found Israel hit two staircases in the first wave. Minutes later it struck one of the staircases twice more.
@benedictgarman.com @sebkilli.bsky.social
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
We found Israel hit two staircases in the first wave. Minutes later it struck one of the staircases twice more.
@benedictgarman.com @sebkilli.bsky.social
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Thomas Bordeaux
Israel has faced global condemnation for back-to-back strikes on the biggest hospital in southern Gaza this week, which killed at least 22 people, including health workers, emergency response crews and five journalists. https://cnn.it/462x8OS
August 28, 2025 at 12:17 AM
Israel has faced global condemnation for back-to-back strikes on the biggest hospital in southern Gaza this week, which killed at least 22 people, including health workers, emergency response crews and five journalists. https://cnn.it/462x8OS
New video analysis reveals that the second “tap”
the IDF fired at a group of first-responders and journalists on Monday was in fact two near-simultaneous tank rounds.
"It’s hard to read too much into that, but it suggests a more carefully coordinated attack," said weapons expert N.R. Jenzen-Jones.
the IDF fired at a group of first-responders and journalists on Monday was in fact two near-simultaneous tank rounds.
"It’s hard to read too much into that, but it suggests a more carefully coordinated attack," said weapons expert N.R. Jenzen-Jones.
New video reveals third strike in deadly ‘double-tap’ attack on Gaza hospital | CNN
Israel has faced global condemnation for back-to-back strikes on the biggest hospital in southern Gaza this week, which killed at least 22 people, including health workers, emergency response crews a...
www.cnn.com
August 27, 2025 at 10:04 PM
New video analysis reveals that the second “tap”
the IDF fired at a group of first-responders and journalists on Monday was in fact two near-simultaneous tank rounds.
"It’s hard to read too much into that, but it suggests a more carefully coordinated attack," said weapons expert N.R. Jenzen-Jones.
the IDF fired at a group of first-responders and journalists on Monday was in fact two near-simultaneous tank rounds.
"It’s hard to read too much into that, but it suggests a more carefully coordinated attack," said weapons expert N.R. Jenzen-Jones.
Detainees inside Alligator Alcatraz told CNN about their experiences there, including relentless mosquitoes, open toilets, and lights kept on 24/7.
Reporters haven't been allowed inside the prison since it opened, so we built a 3D model to take you inside — and hear from the detainees firsthand.
Reporters haven't been allowed inside the prison since it opened, so we built a 3D model to take you inside — and hear from the detainees firsthand.
‘It’s a type of torture’: Hear what it’s like inside ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ | CNN Politics
CNN talked to immigrants being detained at the Florida facility and created a 3D model to explore what conditions are like inside. CNN’s Priscilla Alvarez reports.
www.cnn.com
July 26, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Detainees inside Alligator Alcatraz told CNN about their experiences there, including relentless mosquitoes, open toilets, and lights kept on 24/7.
Reporters haven't been allowed inside the prison since it opened, so we built a 3D model to take you inside — and hear from the detainees firsthand.
Reporters haven't been allowed inside the prison since it opened, so we built a 3D model to take you inside — and hear from the detainees firsthand.
Reposted by Thomas Bordeaux
Armed officers, frequent use of force and people grabbed on the street or at their places of work. Working with @evidentmedia.org and @calmatters.org we have monitored the LA raids, discovering recurring trends and tactics used by officers. www.bellingcat.com/news/2025/07...
Masked, Armed and Forceful: Finding Patterns in Los Angeles Immigration Raids - bellingcat
Bellingcat collected videos and images from recent immigration raids in Los Angeles, analysing trends and apparent tactics used by law enforcement.
www.bellingcat.com
July 8, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Armed officers, frequent use of force and people grabbed on the street or at their places of work. Working with @evidentmedia.org and @calmatters.org we have monitored the LA raids, discovering recurring trends and tactics used by officers. www.bellingcat.com/news/2025/07...
We’re waiting on post strike satellite imagery of Fordow, but one detail that I haven’t seen anywhere besides our reporting for CNN is that images taken before the strike suggest there may have been attempts to reinforce the tunnel entrances. w/ @isaacyeephoto.bsky.social @averyschmitz.bsky.social
June 22, 2025 at 7:48 AM
We’re waiting on post strike satellite imagery of Fordow, but one detail that I haven’t seen anywhere besides our reporting for CNN is that images taken before the strike suggest there may have been attempts to reinforce the tunnel entrances. w/ @isaacyeephoto.bsky.social @averyschmitz.bsky.social
The US military is repositioning B-2 bombers as President Trump decides on US involvement in Israel’s attacks on Iran.
HUGE shout out to @vcdgf555.bsky.social and @thenewarea51 on Twitter for being the first to share about these movements! www.cnn.com/2025/06/21/p...
HUGE shout out to @vcdgf555.bsky.social and @thenewarea51 on Twitter for being the first to share about these movements! www.cnn.com/2025/06/21/p...
US moves B-2 bombers as Trump weighs Iran options | CNN Politics
Multiple US B-2 bombers appear to have taken off from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri on Friday night and are heading west, according to flight tracking data CNN has reviewed, as President Donald ...
www.cnn.com
June 21, 2025 at 8:42 PM
The US military is repositioning B-2 bombers as President Trump decides on US involvement in Israel’s attacks on Iran.
HUGE shout out to @vcdgf555.bsky.social and @thenewarea51 on Twitter for being the first to share about these movements! www.cnn.com/2025/06/21/p...
HUGE shout out to @vcdgf555.bsky.social and @thenewarea51 on Twitter for being the first to share about these movements! www.cnn.com/2025/06/21/p...
Reposted by Thomas Bordeaux
Investigating Israel's strikes on Iran and their impact on civilians. We cross referenced addresses of Iranian commanders and nuclear scientists from a public database with geolocated footage of strikes.
@pallabimunsi.bsky.social & Oscar Featherstone
edition.cnn.com/2025/06/19/w...
@pallabimunsi.bsky.social & Oscar Featherstone
edition.cnn.com/2025/06/19/w...
Watch: CNN investigates Israel’s strikes on key Iranian officials — and their civilian toll | CNN
Israel’s strikes not only took out top Iranian leaders, they also caused civilian deaths. CNN’s Katie Polglase breaks down the human toll at the locations where top Iranian officials were killed.
edition.cnn.com
June 20, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Investigating Israel's strikes on Iran and their impact on civilians. We cross referenced addresses of Iranian commanders and nuclear scientists from a public database with geolocated footage of strikes.
@pallabimunsi.bsky.social & Oscar Featherstone
edition.cnn.com/2025/06/19/w...
@pallabimunsi.bsky.social & Oscar Featherstone
edition.cnn.com/2025/06/19/w...
Reposted by Thomas Bordeaux
NEW: How structural flaws reduced a Dominican nightclub to rubble
Watch our investigation of the Jet Set club collapse which killed over 230 people in April
From @stepozzebon.bsky.social, @thomasbordeaux.bsky.social, Anyi Lizardo, Maddie Araujo, and me:
youtu.be/H5UpgvxSc1A?...
Watch our investigation of the Jet Set club collapse which killed over 230 people in April
From @stepozzebon.bsky.social, @thomasbordeaux.bsky.social, Anyi Lizardo, Maddie Araujo, and me:
youtu.be/H5UpgvxSc1A?...
CNN analysis explores cause of deadly Dominican nightclub roof collapse
YouTube video by CNN
youtu.be
June 18, 2025 at 7:31 PM
NEW: How structural flaws reduced a Dominican nightclub to rubble
Watch our investigation of the Jet Set club collapse which killed over 230 people in April
From @stepozzebon.bsky.social, @thomasbordeaux.bsky.social, Anyi Lizardo, Maddie Araujo, and me:
youtu.be/H5UpgvxSc1A?...
Watch our investigation of the Jet Set club collapse which killed over 230 people in April
From @stepozzebon.bsky.social, @thomasbordeaux.bsky.social, Anyi Lizardo, Maddie Araujo, and me:
youtu.be/H5UpgvxSc1A?...
235 people were killed in April when the roof of the Jet Set nightclub came crashing down during a packed concert. We found that for years before the collapse, structural issues and warning signs went unaddressed. w/ @stepozzebon.bsky.social and @averyschmitz.bsky.social for CNN youtu.be/H5UpgvxSc1A
CNN analysis explores cause of deadly Dominican nightclub roof collapse
YouTube video by CNN
youtu.be
June 17, 2025 at 11:24 PM
235 people were killed in April when the roof of the Jet Set nightclub came crashing down during a packed concert. We found that for years before the collapse, structural issues and warning signs went unaddressed. w/ @stepozzebon.bsky.social and @averyschmitz.bsky.social for CNN youtu.be/H5UpgvxSc1A
New from CNN's graphics and OSINT teams: We visualized the fighting between Iran and Israel in a set of maps and annotated satellite images here: www.cnn.com/world/middle...
Visualizing Israeli airstrikes on Iran and retaliation in maps | CNN
CNN is tracking where the attacks are happening and which Iranian nuclear facilities have been targeted.
www.cnn.com
June 16, 2025 at 5:15 PM
New from CNN's graphics and OSINT teams: We visualized the fighting between Iran and Israel in a set of maps and annotated satellite images here: www.cnn.com/world/middle...
Reposted by Thomas Bordeaux
Not only the wrong location, but appears as if the black line the IDF annotated here showing the "underground terrorist infrastructure site revealed following the strike" may have been visible even before the strike.
May 8 SkySat imagery from @planet.com shows a black line with a similar shape.
May 8 SkySat imagery from @planet.com shows a black line with a similar shape.
May 14, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Not only the wrong location, but appears as if the black line the IDF annotated here showing the "underground terrorist infrastructure site revealed following the strike" may have been visible even before the strike.
May 8 SkySat imagery from @planet.com shows a black line with a similar shape.
May 8 SkySat imagery from @planet.com shows a black line with a similar shape.
As first pointed out by @annonemo.bsky.social and @nrg8000.bsky.social, video shared by the IDF labeled as Hamas tunnels under the European Hospital shows neither tunnels nor the European Hospital - it shows water flowing in the Jenin Secondary School for Boys. Compare it to this 2024 Airbus image.
May 14, 2025 at 12:08 AM
As first pointed out by @annonemo.bsky.social and @nrg8000.bsky.social, video shared by the IDF labeled as Hamas tunnels under the European Hospital shows neither tunnels nor the European Hospital - it shows water flowing in the Jenin Secondary School for Boys. Compare it to this 2024 Airbus image.
Reposted by Thomas Bordeaux
Mohammed al Bardawil, a young witness to the attack on medics who we interviewed in Gaza, was killed at the weekend when an Israeli gunboat fired on Rafah beach. His father Saeed asked our colleague Bilal Shbair today for a photo of them together when Bilal interviewed them.
May 13, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Mohammed al Bardawil, a young witness to the attack on medics who we interviewed in Gaza, was killed at the weekend when an Israeli gunboat fired on Rafah beach. His father Saeed asked our colleague Bilal Shbair today for a photo of them together when Bilal interviewed them.
Reposted by Thomas Bordeaux
Sunday's @nytimes.com carries the photos of 15 medics and rescue workers shot and killed by the IDF in Gaza in March, collected from their families and colleagues. QR links out to video reconstruct, Six Deadly Minutes. Please share. www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWhN...
May 11, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Sunday's @nytimes.com carries the photos of 15 medics and rescue workers shot and killed by the IDF in Gaza in March, collected from their families and colleagues. QR links out to video reconstruct, Six Deadly Minutes. Please share. www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWhN...
Reposted by Thomas Bordeaux
On March 23, a convoy of aid workers, traveling in vehicles marked with emergency flashing lights, was struck by gunfire in Gaza. Bellingcat used video footage of the incident to perform an audio analysis of the shooting. www.bellingcat.com/news/2025/04...
What Audio Analysis Reveals About Aid Workers Killed in Gaza - bellingcat
Hundreds of shots fired at aid convoy that resulted in deaths of multiple aid workers, audio analysis shows.
www.bellingcat.com
April 9, 2025 at 2:45 PM
On March 23, a convoy of aid workers, traveling in vehicles marked with emergency flashing lights, was struck by gunfire in Gaza. Bellingcat used video footage of the incident to perform an audio analysis of the shooting. www.bellingcat.com/news/2025/04...