By Gloria Ogbonna
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly responded to widespread rumors circulating online that falsely claimed he had died. In an effort to put the speculation to rest, the longtime Israeli leader shared a short video of himself casually drinking coffee at a café, appearing relaxed and in good health.
The rumors spread rapidly across social media platforms after several posts suggested that Netanyahu had been assassinated. Much of the speculation was fueled by a controversial video that some users claimed had been generated using artificial intelligence. Critics pointed to unusual visual details in the footage—such as claims that his hands appeared to show six fingers instead of five—as supposed “evidence” that the video was fake.
To counter the rumors, Netanyahu posted a new clip showing himself sitting at a café, sipping coffee while addressing the speculation directly. At one point in the video, he raises both hands toward the camera and spreads his fingers, seemingly to demonstrate that he has five fingers on each hand.
In the video message, Netanyahu made a lighthearted remark referencing the rumors about his death. According to translated captions accompanying the post, he joked, “They say I’m what? Watch.” The prime minister then continued speaking more seriously about the situation facing Israel.
“I think coffee is to die for,” Netanyahu said in the clip. “And I think my nation is to die for.”
He went on to hint at ongoing military actions involving Israel, saying there are operations underway that he could not fully discuss publicly. According to reports cited by the New York Post, Netanyahu stated that Israel has been “hitting Iran very hard,” suggesting escalating tensions between Israel and Iran.
The rumors about Netanyahu’s alleged death reportedly began circulating after a report from Tasnim News Agency helped amplify speculation online. The claims quickly spread across social media platforms, with many users debating whether the original footage of the prime minister was authentic or artificially generated.
Despite the new video intended to prove he was alive and well, the online debate did not immediately stop. Some social media users continued to question the authenticity of the footage. A few commenters even claimed that the latest video could also have been created using AI technology.
One user wrote that it supposedly took the Israeli government several days to produce the video, alleging that experts were able to debunk it within minutes. Others questioned the setting of the clip itself, wondering why Netanyahu would be seen casually visiting a café during a time of heightened security concerns.
Another commenter asked how the prime minister could travel to a café located nearly an hour away from Tel Aviv if citizens had been advised to remain close to shelters. The user also questioned whether such a location would realistically be open during a tense security situation.
Some viewers even commented on the small details of the clip, including the way Netanyahu held his coffee cup, joking that it was impressive he managed not to spill a drink filled to the brim.
Meanwhile, the The Jerusalem Post reported that the original death rumor had gained traction online before the prime minister’s response video was released.
In the video, Netanyahu also urged Israeli citizens to remain cautious and to continue following safety instructions issued by the country’s Home Front Command. He advised people to stay alert and remain near shelters whenever possible as security tensions remain high.
While the video appears to have reassured many supporters that the prime minister is alive and active, the episode highlights how quickly misinformation and conspiracy theories can spread in the digital age—especially during periods of geopolitical tension.
The incident also underscores the growing influence of artificial intelligence in shaping public debate, as increasingly realistic AI-generated media continues to blur the line between real footage and digital fabrication.
Source breitbart
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