TEL AVIV, March 15 (ANI): The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that he is “fine” following a surge of social media posts suggesting his demise.
The clarification was issued after a correspondent from Anadolu Agency questioned the Prime Minister’s office regarding widespread claims circulating on digital platforms that Netanyahu had been assassinated.
In a direct response, Netanyahu’s office dismissed the reports, stating, “These are fake news; the Prime Minister is fine.”
The rumors gained momentum after Netanyahu posted a video of a press conference Friday discussing the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
Some social media users alleged that the footage was generated using artificial intelligence, claiming they had identified six fingers on the Prime Minister’s right hand.
Viewers specifically pointed to a moment around the 0:35 mark where Netanyahu raises his hands, asserting that visible extra flesh near his little finger was a “classic AI finger glitch.”
American conservative commentator Candace Owens joined the discussion, posting on X, “Where’s Bibi?”
She further asked, “Why is his office releasing and deleting fake AI videos from him, and why is there mass panic at the White House?”
However, X’s AI chatbot Grok fact-checked the allegations, clarifying that Netanyahu does not have six fingers.
The chatbot explained that the visual anomalies were optical illusions caused by shadows, hand angles, or the palm’s natural shape, such as the hypothenar eminence.
It added that official footage from Israel’s Government Press Office confirms the Prime Minister has the standard five fingers on each hand.
The backdrop to the rumors is a major regional escalation that began on February 28 when joint Israeli and US strikes were launched against Iran.
The opening day of the conflict reportedly resulted in the death of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, prompting Iran to retaliate with attacks against neighboring oil-exporting countries.
In a major disruption to global trade, Iran has also closed the Strait of Hormuz.
The narrow waterway is a critical energy route that typically facilitates the shipment of approximately 20 million barrels of oil daily and nearly 20 percent of global liquefied natural gas trade. (ANI)
About The Author
