Netanyahu Seen ‘Directing Kill Operations’ in New Photo Amid Rumours

The article analyses ongoing rumours about Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's death in the context of Iran-Israel tensions. It examines official denials, multiple videos, and AI-driven deepfake claims, emphasising that Netanyahu remains in command while misinformation continues to circulate online.

Israel released a new office photograph of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on 19 March, as speculation about an assassination continued online. Officials said the image showed Netanyahu at work while directing an operation to kill senior Iranian leaders, and it was posted soon after Israel claimed responsibility for the death of Iran security chief Ali Larijani.

The official X handle of the Prime Minister of Israel uploaded the picture with a short caption. The post stated: "Photo: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordering the elimination of senior Iranian regime officials." The release came only hours after Defence Minister Israel Katz announced that Ali Larijani, described as Iran's security chief, had been killed in an Israeli strike.

Netanyahu death rumours and Middle East war context

Speculation about Netanyahu's fate had grown during the wider conflict in the Middle East. The war follows joint United States-Israeli strikes on Iran, during which Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed. Against this backdrop, social media users circulated several unverified claims alleging that Netanyahu had died or suffered serious injuries in Iranian retaliation.

Many posts suggested that Iranian strikes targeting Israel might have hit the prime minister. Some users framed these reports as a response to Khamenei's killing. At the same time, rumours claimed that key figures in Tehran, including Ali Larijani, were being targeted by Israel, which then publicly asserted Larijani's death shortly before publishing Netanyahu's office photograph.

Social media videos and Netanyahu death rumours

As these claims spread, Netanyahu's official X account shared a video showing the prime minister walking outdoors in a casual manner. Instead of quietening rumours, the clip triggered fresh analysis by internet users and self-described investigators. Several accounts argued that the video might be altered, pointing to what they said looked like Netanyahu having six fingers on one hand.

Online commentators alleged that the outdoor footage was either manipulated or generated using artificial intelligence tools. Attention then shifted to another clip posted on Netanyahu's X handle, filmed at a coffee shop outside Jerusalem. In that video, Netanyahu joked about the misinformation, saying, "I am dying for coffee," while ordering a drink, yet doubts on social media continued.

X's artificial intelligence chatbot, Grok, added more fuel when users asked it to assess the coffee shop video. The chatbot responded by calling the clip "100% deepfake", a verdict that many people cited while discussing Netanyahu death rumours. Social media users also noted that in a later video released on Monday, Netanyahu appeared to wear the same clothes as in the cafe footage.

The Monday video, which again showed Netanyahu walking outdoors, led to another round of scrutiny. Viewers highlighted moments where a ring on Netanyahu's finger seemed to disappear and reappear between frames. These details were used to claim that the latest clip was also manipulated or AI-generated, further keeping the Netanyahu death rumours alive despite repeated denials.

Attention online also turned to the activity of Yair Netanyahu on X. Some accounts suggested that Yair's profile had gone quiet because of an unreported "family tragedy". Public records show that Yair last posted on 9 March, but there has been no official explanation for the break, and no government source has linked it to Netanyahu death rumours.

Israeli officials have rejected the speculation. The Prime Minister's Office told Anadolu Agency that talk of an assassination was "fake news" and said Netanyahu was "fine". Israel's ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, also addressed the issue, stating that Netanyahu is "very much alive" and adding, "Prime Minister Netanyahu is alive. I saw him personally when I was in Israel more than once."

With continuing claims online, Israel has tried to counter the Netanyahu death rumours through direct communication and fresh images. The combination of official denials, multiple videos, and the new photograph from Netanyahu's office places emphasis on the message that the prime minister remains in charge, even as the conflict with Iran and related information battles continue.