Israel tries and fails to put Netanyahu death rumours to rest, netizens say why try so hard 'if he is alive'
Despite the video’s release, some social media users have claimed it may be AI-generated, pointing to alleged inconsistencies in lighting, reflections and room details
Rumours surrounding the health and status of Benjamin Netanyahu continue to circulate online, despite the absence of any credible evidence supporting claims of his death.
The speculation has persisted even after Netanyahu’s office released a recent video on March 18, showing him at Israel’s high-security Kirya command centre in Tel Aviv. In the footage, he is seen seated alongside senior defence and intelligence officials, discussing ongoing military operations and extending Nowruz greetings to the Iranian people.
I'm here with Israel's Defense Minister, our Chief of Staff, the head of the Mossad, the Chief of Air Force, our senior commanders. In the past 24 hours, we knocked out two of the terrorist chieftains, the top terrorist chieftains of this tyranny.
Our aircraft are hitting the… pic.twitter.com/lFJKEMvgxR
— Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) March 17, 2026
“Our aircraft are hitting targets across the region… Happy Nowruz. We’re watching from above,” he says in the clip.
Image credit/X
Image credit/X
A day earlier, on March 17, Netanyahu was also seen in another official engagement, holding a meeting with the United States Ambassador—further indicating his active role in government affairs.
Crossing names off the list is good - doing it shoulder to shoulder with our American friends is even better.
Good to see Ambassador @GovMikeHuckabee. Always a pleasure.
🇮🇱🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/FZrZN03IZI
— Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) March 17, 2026
Claims of deepfake remain unproven
Despite the video’s release, some social media users have claimed it may be AI-generated, pointing to alleged inconsistencies in lighting, reflections and room details. Others questioned the presence of certain officials in the footage.
However, there is currently no credible evidence from verified sources or independent experts confirming that the video is a deepfake. Such claims remain speculative and largely driven by online commentary rather than forensic analysis.
Previous appearances and ongoing rumours
This is not the first time rumours about Netanyahu’s death have surfaced. Earlier in the conflict, similar claims spread online, often amplified by unverified sources.
Netanyahu has made multiple public appearances in recent weeks, including media interviews, café visit and recorded messages, apparently aimed at countering these narratives. In one instance, he humorously addressed the rumours while appearing in a casual setting.
Information war and misinformation
The situation highlights the growing role of misinformation during times of conflict. False or unverified claims—particularly those involving deepfakes—can spread rapidly across platforms, making it difficult to distinguish fact from speculation.
At present, official statements from the Israeli government maintain that Netanyahu is alive and continuing to lead wartime operations. No reliable international authority has reported otherwise.
אומרים שאני מה? צפו >> pic.twitter.com/ijHPkM3ZHZ
— Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) March 15, 2026
