Israel-Iran War: Netanyahu Denies Death Rumours in Video

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed rumours circulating online that he was killed in an Iranian attack, appearing in a video message as the conflict between Israel and Iran continues to intensify.

The video was released on social media as the war between the two countries entered its third week, with Iran also issuing fresh threats against the Israeli leader and expanding its military operations in the region.

Netanyahu Responds to Online Rumours

In the video shared on the social media platform X, Benjamin Netanyahu is seen ordering coffee at a café while addressing conspiracy theories that suggested he had been killed in an Iranian strike.

“I am dead… for coffee,” he said jokingly, using a Hebrew expression that suggests strong enthusiasm for something. “You know what? I'm ‘dying’ for my people. How they are behaving is fantastic,” he added.

The rumours had gained traction after a video of his earlier press conference circulated online, with some social media users claiming the footage showed what appeared to be six fingers on one of his hands. Some commentators suggested this indicated that the video might have been generated by artificial intelligence.

Netanyahu addressed the speculation directly in the clip by raising his hands and displaying his fingers to the camera. “Do you want to count my fingers? You can see them here… and here. See? Very nice,” he said.

Officials from the Israeli prime minister’s office also rejected claims of his death, describing them as false reports.

Message to Israeli Citizens

In the same video, Netanyahu thanked Israeli citizens for their resilience during the ongoing conflict and urged them to continue following security instructions issued by authorities.

He encouraged residents to remain close to protected areas or shelters while continuing daily activities where possible.

“Your resilience is amazing; it gives strength to me, to the government, to the Israel Defense Forces and to the Mossad,” he said, referring to Israel’s military and intelligence agencies.

He added that Israeli forces were continuing military operations against Iran but did not disclose specific details about those activities.

Iran Issues Threat Against Israeli Leader

While Netanyahu dismissed the rumours, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued a statement warning that it would continue to target him.

According to reports carried by Iranian media, the military organisation said that if Netanyahu remained alive it would pursue him and seek to eliminate him.

The statement came as Iran said it had carried out missile and drone strikes on several United States military bases in the region, including facilities in Iraq and Kuwait.

Iran described the attacks as part of a broader military campaign it refers to as “Operation True Promise 4”, which it says is retaliation for recent strikes on Iranian territory.

Escalating Regional Conflict

The confrontation between Israel and Iran intensified after joint military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian targets on February 28.

The attacks reportedly killed more than a thousand people in Iran, including the country’s long-time Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.

Iran responded by launching multiple waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and several locations across the Gulf region that host United States military forces.

According to reports from United States defence officials, American and Israeli forces have struck thousands of sites inside Iran since the conflict began.

The Pentagon has also deployed additional military assets to the region, including the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli and approximately 2,500 United States Marines.

Wider Impact Across the Middle East

The conflict has increasingly spread beyond Iran and Israel, with incidents reported in several neighbouring countries.

Explosions were reported in the city of Dubai on Sunday, although authorities have not confirmed the cause or extent of the damage.

Drone attacks were also reported near Kuwait International Airport and at an oil refinery in northern Iraq, raising concerns that the conflict could expand further across the Gulf region.

In Israel, missile attacks from Iran have continued. Israeli media reported that at least two people suffered minor injuries in the city of Holon near Tel Aviv following a ballistic missile strike.

Context

The Israel-Iran conflict is now one of the most serious military confrontations in the Middle East in recent years, with thousands of casualties reported since the fighting began.

The war has also disrupted aviation routes, energy infrastructure and international shipping, while global markets have reacted to fears of a wider regional war.

Analysts say the continued exchange of strikes between the two countries, combined with attacks affecting neighbouring states, increases the risk that the conflict could draw in additional regional and international powers.