JERUSALEM, 16 March (H.S.): Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu quashed rampant social media speculation about his demise in an Iranian strike by releasing a casual video from a cafe, wryly declaring himself dead... for coffee while flaunting his fingers to debunk AI fabrication claims.
Video Counters Conspiracy Theories
Netanyahu, filmed ordering coffee, employed a Hebrew idiom connoting profound affection, jesting, “I am dead… for coffee,” before praising Israeli resilience: “You know what? I'm 'dying' for my people. How they are behaving is fantastic.”
He then raised both hands, challenging doubters: “Do you want to count my fingers? You can see them here… and here. See? Very nice,” directly addressing viral assertions that a prior press conference clip depicted him with six fingers, purportedly AI-generated.
The footage, posted on X, also urged citizens to heed Home Front Command directives, remain near shelters, and noted ongoing undisclosed strikes against Iran.�
Iranian Threats Fuel Speculation
The video emerged shortly after Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a stark vow on March 14: If this child-killing criminal is alive, we will continue to pursue and kill him with full force. Iranian state media had amplified unverified claims of Netanyahu's death, prompting his office to dismiss them as fake news, affirming the premier's well-being.
This rhetoric intensified as disinformation proliferated online, exacerbating tensions in the protracted conflict.
The Israel-Iran war, now in its 16th day since U.S.-Israeli strikes on February 28 killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, has seen over 15,000 Iranian targets hit, per Pentagon reports, with casualties exceeding 2,000, predominantly in Iran.
Iran retaliated with assaults on Israel and U.S. bases in Gulf states, while Israel and allies deployed assets like the USS Tripoli with 2,500 Marines. Netanyahu's appearance underscores leadership continuity amid a campaign that has degraded Iran's missile and nuclear capabilities, though Israeli officials caution more operations lie ahead.
Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
