Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday mocked at the widespread news on social media about his death as he released a video showing him ordering a coffee at what seems to be a roadside mini market.
Speculations have been rife on social media for about a week questioning his absence from the public space, even as rumours increased after a video surfaced, apparently showing Netanyahu with six fingers against the backdrop of the US-Israel joint attack on Iran since February 28 and the retaliation by the Islamic nation that has extended the war to the entire Gulf region.
On Sunday, Netanyahu posted the video on his personal X handle, where he is heard saying, “Great (he tells the seller giving him coffee), Thanks.”
The premier then urged Israeli citizens to respect safety instructions in the event of incoming rockets, adding their resilience “gives strength to me, to the government, to the army, to the Mossad (spy agency).”
“We are doing things that I cannot share at this moment, but we are striking Iran very hard, and also Lebanon,” he added.
The speculation had spread widely across social media after conspiracy theories alleged that the Israeli Prime Minister had died and that a recent televised appearance was generated using artificial intelligence.
Netanyahu responded directly to the rumours on Sunday by releasing a new video intended to show that he was alive and continuing with his duties.
In the video, Netanyahu said Israelis should step outside their homes for a breath of fresh air but remain close to shelters.
Earlier, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed that he is “fine,” following a surge of social media posts suggesting his demise.
The clarification was issued after a correspondent from the Anadolu Agency questioned his office regarding widespread claims on digital platforms that “Netanyahu has been assassinated.” In a direct response, Netanyahu’s office dismissed the reports, stating, “These are fake news; the Prime Minister is fine.”
The rumours gained momentum after the Israeli PM posted a video of a press conference on Friday discussing the ongoing conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran. Some social media users alleged that the footage was AI-generated, claiming to have identified six fingers on the Prime Minister’s right hand.
Specifically, viewers pointed to a moment at the 0:35 mark where Netanyahu raises his hands, asserting that visible extra flesh near his little finger was a ‘Classic AI finger glitch’.
American conservative commentator Candace Owens joined the discourse, asking, “Where’s Bibi?” in a post on X. She further questioned, “Why is his office releasing and deleting fake AI videos from him, and why is there mass panic at the White House?”
However, X’s AI chatbot, Grok, fact-checked the allegations, clarifying that Netanyahu does not have six fingers. It explained that the visual anomalies were optical illusions caused by shadows, hand angles, or the palm’s natural shape, such as the hyphenar eminence. The chatbot noted that official footage from Israel’s Government Press Office confirms a standard five fingers per hand.
The backdrop to these rumours is a significant regional escalation that began on 28 February, when joint Israeli and US attacks were launched against Iran. The opening day of the conflict resulted in the death of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, prompting Iran to retaliate with strikes against neighbouring oil-exporting nations.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards vowed on Sunday to target Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the war with Israel and the United States continues.
“If this child-killing criminal is alive, we will continue to pursue and kill him with full force,” said the Guards on their website Sepah News.
