Rumours claiming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is dead, fuelled by a supposed ‘six-finger’ anomaly in a recent video, have been debunked by multiple fact-checkers and officials. The viral claims, spread amid heightened conflict with Iran, were traced to doctored screenshots and optical illusions. Netanyahu remains active in leading Israel’s military operations, with verified appearances and statements confirming his safety.
The speculation started after Netanyahu’s recent press conference video showed what some users claimed was a six-fingered hand, leading to unfounded theories that the clip was AI-generated and the prime minister was dead. Viral posts amplified the claim, with some even fabricating screenshots of deleted tweets from his official account. These posts emerged in the midst of Israel’s military campaign against Iran, making the rumour particularly potent online. Times Now + 3
Investigations by Grok, Snopes, PolitiFact, and Times of Israel confirmed that Netanyahu’s hands appeared normal in the full video, with the ‘extra finger’ being an optical illusion caused by camera angles and lighting. Fabricated images showing him injured were also identified as AI-generated or edited. Officials and credible outlets reiterated that Netanyahu is alive, with recent verified public appearances and statements supporting this. Hindustan Times + 3
The episode reflects a broader pattern where wartime uncertainty fuels viral misinformation, as seen in past...
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