Netanyahu Mocks Death Rumors in Video with US Envoy Amid Iran Conflict
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has once again addressed and ridiculed online conspiracy theories about his death, this time in a newly released video featuring US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee. The video emerges as false claims about Netanyahu's condition continue to spread on social media platforms, coinciding with the ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran.
New Video Shows Netanyahu Joking About Death Claims
In the latest clip shared by Netanyahu on the social media platform X, Ambassador Huckabee is seen walking alongside the Israeli prime minister through his office. Huckabee humorously remarks that former US President Donald Trump sent him to check on Netanyahu's well-being. "Donald Trump wanted me to come and make sure you were ok," Huckabee says with a laugh. Netanyahu responds, "Yes, Mike, I'm alive." Huckabee then adds that Trump wanted to ensure "because you guys get along too well."
Netanyahu further pokes fun at another viral online allegation that recent videos of him were generated by artificial intelligence. "We shake hands with five fingers in each hand," Netanyahu states, directly mocking social media posts that claimed he appeared to have an extra finger in earlier footage. This comment references the so-called "six fingers" conspiracy theory, which has gained traction online in recent days.
Netanyahu References Fresh Israeli Strikes on Iranian Leaders
The video was not solely focused on humor. At one point, Netanyahu pulls out a card that he describes as listing senior Iranian leaders targeted by Israel. "Today I erased two names on the punch card," he declares, referring to the overnight killings of Iran's secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani and Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani.
Praising the role of the United States in the conflict, Netanyahu says, "What the president and US forces are doing is incredible." He emphasizes that Israel is "very proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder" with the United States in the campaign against Iran. Netanyahu accuses Tehran's leadership of seeking nuclear weapons and the capability to strike "every American city" after "wiping out Israel." He asserts, "They ain't gonna do that. We're wiping them out."
Sharing the clip on X, Netanyahu wrote, "Crossing names off the list is good - doing it shoulder to shoulder with our American friends is even better." He added, "Good to see Ambassador @GovMikeHuckabee. Always a pleasure." The post appears aimed at reinforcing his public presence and projecting close strategic alignment with the Trump administration during a period when misinformation about his condition has been proliferating online.
Rumors Have Swirled for Days
This video marks the latest in a series of clips Netanyahu has posted to dismiss false claims about his death. On Monday, the Israeli prime minister shared another video of himself outdoors, casually chatting while apparently purchasing coffee. In that footage, when informed that some channels were claiming he was dead, Netanyahu quipped, "I am dying for coffee." This came a day after he posted another video showing both his palms and mocking rumors about his death as well as the "six fingers" claim. "They say I'm what?" Netanyahu had captioned that earlier video.
PM's Office and Israeli Envoy Earlier Denied Claims
The Israeli Prime Minister's Office has already rejected the rumors as entirely false. "These are fake news; the prime minister is fine," the office told Anadolu News when questioned about social media posts alleging Netanyahu had been killed in retaliation for recent Israeli and US strikes on Iran.
Israeli ambassador to India Reuven Azar also dismissed the viral claims during an interaction with reporters in Delhi, stating, "PM Netanyahu is alive. I saw him when I was in Israel more than once. The video at the cafe is not AI-fabricated. A lot of disinformation is being spread." Azar accused Iran and its "accomplices" of spreading disinformation, as reported by TOI.
'Six Fingers' Theory Fuelled AI Speculation
The "six fingers" rumor appears to have gained momentum after Netanyahu posted a video of a press conference on Friday regarding the conflict involving Israel, the US, and Iran. Some social media users asserted that the footage was AI-generated, pointing to a moment when Netanyahu raised his hand and appeared, in their view, to have an additional finger. Users described it as a "classic AI finger glitch," though the Israeli government has firmly rejected this claim.
These rumors have spread during a period of heightened regional tension that began on February 28, when Israel and the United States launched coordinated strikes on targets in Iran. This escalation has triggered a flood of misinformation, manipulated visuals, and unverified claims across online platforms.
