Israeli Prime Minister dismisses online speculation surrounding his alleged passing

On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took to social media to poke fun at rumours of his demise, posting a brief video that showed him jokingly declaring, "I'm dead for coffee" as he accepted a steaming cup at a cafe outside Jerusalem.

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In the video, Netanyahu used a colloquial Hebrew expression to convey his love for coffee, and his lighthearted tone was a clear attempt to dispel speculation about his well-being.

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Netanyahu then addressed another rumour that had been circulating on social media, which suggested that his latest televised address had been generated by AI, and that he appeared to have six fingers on one hand, by asking viewers if they wanted to count his fingers.

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He raised his hands to the camera, inviting viewers to verify the number of fingers for themselves, in a bid to put the speculation to rest.

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Netanyahu also took the opportunity to urge Israeli citizens to remain vigilant and follow safety instructions in the event of incoming rockets, praising their resilience as a source of strength for himself, the government, and the military.

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The Israeli premier added that the country's resilience gave strength to the Mossad, the nation's spy agency, and that it was a crucial factor in the ongoing conflict.

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Netanyahu revealed that Israel was taking actions that he could not disclose at the moment, but assured that the country was striking Iran and Lebanon with significant force.

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Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps, meanwhile, issued a threatening message on Sunday, vowing to pursue and kill Netanyahu, whom they referred to as a "child-killer", if he was still alive.

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The IRGC's threat was posted on X by Iran's IRNA news agency, and marked a significant escalation in the rhetoric between Iran and Israel, as the war led by Israel and the US entered its third week.