New Delhi: Amid rumours spiraling that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is dead, his office on Saturday dismissed viral social media claims suggesting he had been assassinated during the escalating conflict involving Israel, the US, and Iran.
The Prime Minister’s Office dismissed the circulating rumors in a statement to Turkey’s Anadolu Agency, stating plainly that the reports are false and the Prime Minister is fine.
“These are fake news; the Prime Minister is fine,” the office said.
Why the rumours were rife?
The death rumors gained momentum after Netanyahu posted a video to his X account on Friday.
In the clip, he was seen addressing a press conference regarding the intensifying conflict between Israel, the U.S., and Iran, but some viewers questioned the video’s authenticity.
Six-fingers on PM’s hand?
The footage quickly became a focal point for netizens who alleged they spotted six fingers on the Prime Minister’s right hand.
Roughly 35 seconds into the footage, a skin-colored anomaly near the Prime Minister’s pinky finger caught the attention of viewers as many labelled the growth a “classic AI finger glitch,” citing it as a telltale sign of an artificially generated deepfake.
Where’s Bibi?
The speculation intensified when American conservative commentator Candace Owens took to X to voice her concerns.
Using Netanyahu’s nickname, she asked, “Where’s Bibi?” while questioning why his office was allegedly posting and retracting AI-generated content and noting reports of “mass panic” within the White House.
What netizens noticed?
Further doubts were raised when social media users pointed out perceived inconsistencies in the video’s setting.
They argued that the swaying of the curtains contrasted unnaturally with the static flags behind the Prime Minister, fueling theories that the entire scene was computer-generated.
