Tel Aviv, Mar 16 (V7N) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed circulating rumors about his death in a video posted on social media, showing him joking and ordering coffee at a café. The video, shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, directly addressed conspiracy theories that had spread following recent media reports.

Earlier posts on social media claimed that Netanyahu appeared with six fingers on one hand during a press conference, allegedly generated by artificial intelligence. In the video, he raised both hands to the camera and quipped, “Do you want to count my fingers? Look here. Did you see them?”

Using a Hebrew pun, he also joked about reports of his death, saying, “I am dead… for coffee. You know? I ‘die’ for my people.” Netanyahu addressed Israeli citizens, urging them to enjoy fresh air outside while staying close to secure shelters, adding that their morale empowers the government, the IDF, and Mossad.

Netanyahu emphasized ongoing military operations, stating, “We are carrying out actions that I cannot disclose at this moment, but today we are striking Iran very hard. Are you telling me to continue fighting? I say—fight as well.”

The video followed a statement from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards earlier on Sunday, in which they vowed to “hunt and kill” Netanyahu, calling him a “child-killing criminal” and pledging to pursue him with full force if he survives.

The conflict between Iran and Israel has now entered its 16th day. It escalated after the reported death of 86-year-old Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in a joint US-Israel strike on February 28. Reports from Qatar-based Al Jazeera indicate that more than 2,000 people have been killed in the ongoing conflict, including over 1,444 in Iran.

The Pentagon has reported striking more than 15,000 targets in Iran since the start of the war and recently deployed the amphibious warship USS Tripoli along with 2,500 naval forces to the region.

Ending the video, Netanyahu reassured citizens to follow home front command instructions, noting that restrictions would be eased where possible, and concluded with a light remark, “And thank you for the coffee—it was excellent.”

END/WD/AJ/