Netanyahu video sparks speculation amid escalating Iran–Israel war

Tel Aviv  : The conflict between Iran and Israel has intensified dramatically in recent weeks, with the United States reportedly joining Israel in military strikes against Iranian targets. Amid the escalating war, fresh speculation has emerged on social media about the whereabouts of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following a controversial video posted online.

According to claims circulating widely online, a joint strike allegedly carried out by the United States and Israel on February 28 resulted in the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei along with members of his family. While there has been no official confirmation of such reports, social media discussions suggest that Iran has continued retaliatory attacks against Israel despite the alleged killing.

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The speculation intensified after Netanyahu has largely remained out of public view since the escalation of hostilities. Although posts have continued to appear on his official social media accounts, critics and commentators have questioned whether these updates are being issued directly by him.

On March 13, a video posted on Netanyahu’s official X (formerly Twitter) account drew widespread attention. In the clip, the Israeli leader is seen discussing ongoing military operations against Iran and claiming that Khamenei was killed during the February 28 strikes. The video appeared to be aimed at addressing questions about Netanyahu’s whereabouts following the conflict.

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However, social media users quickly pointed out unusual details in the footage. Some viewers claimed that Netanyahu’s right hand appeared to show six fingers in certain frames, sparking allegations that the video may have been generated or altered using artificial intelligence.

Screenshots from the video began circulating widely online, with several users claiming the supposed “six-finger anomaly” was proof that the footage had been digitally manipulated. These claims led to further speculation that Netanyahu might have been killed in Iranian retaliation and that the video was created using AI technology to maintain public confidence.

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Despite the viral claims, several independent fact-checking organizations have dismissed the allegations as misinformation. They stated that there is no credible evidence suggesting Netanyahu has been killed or that the video was fabricated using artificial intelligence.

Meanwhile, American political commentator Candace Owens also weighed in on the controversy through posts on X, questioning the transparency of the information being shared about the war.

“Why is the United States not being transparent about what is happening in Iran? Where is Bibi?” she wrote, referring to Netanyahu by his widely used nickname.

The viral video and the questions raised around it have fueled intense debate across social media platforms. As the Iran-Israel conflict continues to escalate, misinformation and speculation online are adding further uncertainty to an already volatile geopolitical situation.