Military analyst Kobi Finkler presented an optimistic yet measured assessment of the war’s progress during a Kol Chai radio broadcast on Thursday.

According to Finkler, the IDF has shifted from a “shock-and-awe” approach to a sustained war of attrition, reminiscent of the sustained strategic momentum seen after the Six-Day War.

But the war in Iran has also reached a new peak. “Back then, we struck a hundred targets; today we’re talking about over 2,500 high‑value targets,” he said.

He added that from the hundreds of launchers the Iranians regime possessed, only a few dozen remain. The strikes have spanned the entire country—from gas facilities in the south to targets in the north—including severe damage to 17 out of 20 strategic transport aircraft.

On the Lebanese front, Finkler reported a significant drop in rocket fire due to intensive ground operations by three IDF divisions.

“Residents of Metula and Nahariya slept quietly last night,” he noted, explaining that Israel is targeting Hezbollah’s economic “soft underbelly”—its gas stations. The destruction of these stations both prevents Hezbollah from fueling its launcher trucks and heavy equipment and cuts off a key revenue stream used to finance its terror activities.

Meanwhile, Israel’s air-defense network is performing strongly against cluster munitions, with high interception success rates. A senior officer in the Air Defense Command confirmed to Finkler:
“Iron Dome’s capabilities today are four times greater than they were in the past.”

Finkler also addressed air raid sirens and civilian preparedness, expressing reservations about political promises that future laser systems will eliminate the need for alerts. “That’s populism—there will always be threats,” he said, emphasizing the need for continued public vigilance despite the stress and trauma caused by sirens.

He added that the recent targeted assassinations— including Iran’s intelligence minister and Ali Larijani, “the most evil man,” show that Israel is maintaining the initiative across all fronts.

He concluded with a message in the ruach of Chodesh Nissan and Geulah: “When dawn approaches, slowly, slowly—at the very last moment, the darkness is greatest.”

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)