Israeli Ambassador Strongly Denies False Reports About Prime Minister Netanyahu's Death
Israeli Ambassador to India Reuven Azar delivered a firm rebuttal on Monday against widespread claims that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had passed away. He simultaneously clarified the precise timing of the recent Israel-US joint military strikes on Iran, emphasizing that the operational opportunity for the action materialized only after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his official visit to Israel on February 26.
Ambassador Azar Dismisses Disinformation Campaign
"PM Netanyahu is alive. I saw him when I was in Israel more than once. The video at the cafe showing Netanyahu is not AI-fabricated. A lot of disinformation is being spread," Ambassador Azar stated unequivocally. He directly accused Iran of orchestrating a campaign of false information aimed at destabilizing the region.
He elaborated further, "Look, this is a classical disinformation projection that the Iranians and their accomplices are trying to do. Our PM is feeling very well. I met him personally following PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel. He’s completely intact. He also showed that yesterday in a video when he visited a cafe in Israel. So don’t worry, he’s okay," Azar told assembled reporters, seeking to put all speculation to rest.
Clarifying the Timeline of the Iran Strikes
Addressing questions about the timing of the military action relative to PM Modi's diplomatic mission, Ambassador Azar provided a detailed chronology. He denied, not for the first time, any suggestion that the Indian Prime Minister was privy to the impending attack during his stay.
"It was evident that the situation is very volatile in our region even before PM Narendra Modi came. When it comes to the decision to strike, the operational opportunity came only after PM Modi left. The cabinet decision to approve the operation happened only two days after," Azar explained. This timeline indicates that PM Modi's bilateral meeting with Netanyahu occurred approximately 48 hours before the February 28 strikes, which were swiftly followed by Iranian reprisals.
Netanyahu Continues Public Appearances to Counter Rumors
In a related development, Prime Minister Netanyahu himself took proactive steps to dispel the conspiracy theories. A day after releasing an initial video to debunk rumors of his death, he posted another clip on Monday via his personal X account.
The new video shows Netanyahu engaging with citizens in the Jerusalem Hills, near the same coffee shop featured in the previous footage and wearing an identical outfit. This continued public visibility serves as a direct visual counter to the false narratives circulating online.
The ambassador's statements and the Prime Minister's public appearances underscore the intense information warfare accompanying the ongoing regional tensions, with diplomatic timelines becoming a focal point for clarification amidst a volatile security landscape.
