New Delhi: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has released a new video message alongside the United States Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, dismissing viral rumours that falsely claimed he had been killed during the ongoing tensions with Iran.
The video emerged after several days of online speculation triggered by Netanyahu’s absence from public appearances and misleading social media posts suggesting that earlier footage of him appeared manipulated. Some users even claimed the video showed the Israeli leader with six fingers, prompting conspiracy theories that the clip had been digitally altered.
In the latest recording, Netanyahu is seen walking and conversing with Huckabee in a light hearted exchange. The US envoy jokingly remarks that Donald Trump had asked him to personally confirm that the Israeli Prime Minister was safe. Netanyahu responds humorously, stating simply that he is alive.
During the conversation, Netanyahu also refers to Israel’s ongoing military operations targeting senior Iranian figures, including Ali Larijani and Gholamreza Soleimani. Using a metaphorical reference to a “punch card,” he remarks that two names had already been removed, suggesting continued operations against individuals seen as threats.
Huckabee responds jokingly that he is relieved his own name does not appear on the list, prompting Netanyahu to reply that the envoy belongs to the “good guys.” The Israeli leader also praised the cooperation between Israeli and US forces, highlighting the close strategic partnership between the two countries.
The rumours about Netanyahu’s alleged death gained traction on social media as tensions between Israel and Iran escalated. Speculation intensified after a clip circulated online in which some viewers claimed the Prime Minister appeared with an extra finger, leading to allegations that the footage had been created using artificial intelligence.
Before releasing the video with Huckabee, Netanyahu had already addressed the rumours in a separate clip posted online. In that recording, he was seen at a café ordering coffee and joking about the false claims. He even raised both hands to the camera and playfully invited viewers to count his fingers, directly mocking the conspiracy theory circulating on the internet.
