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Netanyahu Debunks Death Rumors with Coffee Sip Video, Shows Five Fingers

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directly addressed and debunked widespread social media rumors claiming he had been assassinated. He posted a video of himself drinking coffee and clearly showing his five fingers to counter claims that older footage was AI-generated and showed him with six. The rumors, which gained traction after a press conference video, were fact-checked by an AI chatbot which attributed the anomaly to shadows and optical illusions. This incident occurs against a backdrop of heightened regional tensions following recent Israeli and US attacks against Iran.

Key Points: Netanyahu Alive, Debunks AI Death Rumors in Video

  • Netanyahu posts video debunking death rumors
  • Rumors spread from claims of AI-generated footage
  • Social media users alleged a "six-finger" AI glitch
  • X's Grok AI fact-checked, citing optical illusions
  • Backdrop of regional escalation between Israel and Iran
2 min read

Israeli PM Netanyahu debunks death rumours, sips coffee, shows 5 fingers

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu posts video drinking coffee to prove he's alive, countering social media rumors of his assassination and AI-generated footage.

"These are fake news; the Prime Minister is fine. - Netanyahu's office"

Tel Aviv, March 15

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday debunked the rumours of his assassination, following a surge of social media posts suggesting his demise.

In a post on X, he posted a video drinking coffee and showing his five fingers after Iran's social media accounts claimed he was dead and his old video showed was AI-generated, showed him with six fingers.

Netanyahu captioned the video as, "They say I'm what? Watch >>"

Earlier in the day, Netanyahu's office confirmed that he is "fine.

The clarification was issued after a correspondent from the Anadolu Agency questioned his office regarding widespread claims on digital platforms that "Netanyahu has been assassinated." In a direct response, Netanyahu's office dismissed the reports, stating, "These are fake news; the Prime Minister is fine."

The rumours gained momentum after the Israeli PM posted a video of a press conference on Friday discussing the ongoing conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran. Some social media users alleged that the footage was AI-generated, claiming to have identified six fingers on the Prime Minister's right hand.

Specifically, viewers pointed to a moment at 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 discourse, asking, "Where's Bibi?" in a post on X. She further questioned, "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. It explained that the visual anomalies were optical illusions caused by shadows, hand angles, or the palm's natural shape, such as the hyphenar eminence. The chatbot noted that official footage from Israel's Government Press Office confirms a standard five fingers per hand.

The backdrop to these rumours is a significant regional escalation that began on 28 February, when joint Israeli and US attacks were launched against Iran. The opening day of the conflict resulted in the death of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, prompting Iran to retaliate with strikes against neighbouring oil-exporting nations.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
The coffee-sipping video is a masterclass in handling rumours with humour. But seriously, the fact that people are analyzing finger counts shows how deep the misinformation rabbit hole goes. Stay vigilant, folks!
R
Rohit P
From an Indian perspective, we've seen our share of political deepfakes and fake news. It's a dangerous game that can destabilize regions. Hope international cooperation increases to tackle this menace.
S
Sarah B
While the debunking is good, the article mentions a major regional escalation that began in February. The focus on a viral rumour feels like it's overshadowing the very real conflict and loss of life happening. That's the real story.
K
Karthik V
"Hyphenar eminence" – learned a new term today! 😄 It's fascinating and scary how a simple shadow can spark an international conspiracy theory. Trust, but verify, always.
M
Michael C
The geopolitical implications are huge. If a major leader's status is in doubt during a conflict, it creates uncertainty for allies and adversaries alike. Shows how warfare now has a strong digital misinformation front.

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