Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday released a video on social media appearing to dismiss rumours circulating online that falsely claimed he had died. The clip, shared through his official account on the platform X, shows the Israeli leader casually speaking with people at an outdoor location while purchasing a cup of coffee. The post surfaced as speculation and misinformation about the prime minister’s health and status spread across various social media platforms.
In the video, Netanyahu is seen interacting with a coffee vendor while holding a drink and engaging in light conversation with those around him. After receiving the coffee, he thanks the seller and turns toward the person filming the interaction. When informed that certain online channels had been circulating claims that he had died, Netanyahu responds with humour, saying, “I am dying for coffee.” The brief remark appeared intended to mock the viral rumours that had gained traction online.
The speculation began circulating during a period of heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. On February 28, Israel and the United States conducted coordinated military strikes on targets in Iran, an escalation that prompted widespread attention across global media and social platforms. Around the same time, online users began spreading unverified claims suggesting that Netanyahu had been killed in connection with the regional conflict.
In addition to the death rumours, some users also pointed to a separate video of Netanyahu addressing reporters about the conflict, alleging that the footage showed an unusual visual anomaly. In the clip, when the prime minister briefly raised his hand, some viewers claimed it appeared as though he had six fingers, suggesting the image might be the result of an artificial intelligence–generated video error commonly referred to as an “AI finger glitch.” Such claims quickly circulated across social networks, fueling further speculation.
Officials from the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office rejected the allegations and described the claims as misinformation. Responding to questions about the viral posts, the office stated that the rumours were false and confirmed that the prime minister was in good health. The office’s statement sought to counter the spread of online speculation as regional tensions and political developments continued to draw global attention.
The episode highlights how rapidly misinformation and digitally altered interpretations of images can spread during periods of international crisis. As the conflict involving Israel and Iran continues to attract worldwide scrutiny, political leaders and government offices increasingly face the challenge of addressing viral online rumours while maintaining public confidence in official information.
