Netanyahu appears in public, humorously douses death rumour
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly dismissed rumors of his death after speculation spread online claiming he had been killed during recent Iranian missile attacks.
The rumors circulated widely on social media amid the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, with some posts alleging that Netanyahu had been assassinated or replaced with artificial intelligence–generated appearances.
In response, the Israeli leader appeared in a short video shared online, calmly holding a cup of tea and addressing the speculation with a touch of humor.
In the clip, Netanyahu says in Hebrew: “אומרים שאני מה? צפו >>”, which translates roughly to “They say I’m what?”
The brief message appeared intended to mock the claims about his death and reassure the public that he is alive.
Reports indicate that the speculation began after conspiracy theories circulated online suggesting that a previous video of Netanyahu showed unusual features, including claims that he appeared to have six fingers—an allegation some users cited as supposed evidence of an AI-generated appearance.
However, the latest video shows the Israeli leader casually interacting in public while drinking tea and speaking about ongoing developments.
During the appearance, Netanyahu reportedly made light conversation while reaffirming that Israel continues its military operations amid the ongoing regional conflict.
The rumors emerged at a time of heightened tensions following weeks of fighting between Israel, Iran, and allied groups across the Middle East. The conflict has involved missile strikes, drone attacks, and military operations across several countries in the region.
Online misinformation has also spread rapidly during the war, with unverified claims about military leaders, political figures, and battlefield developments circulating widely on social media platforms.
Netanyahu’s public appearance appears aimed at shutting down the assassination rumors while signaling that Israel’s leadership remains intact despite the ongoing conflict.
