Online conspiracy theories surrounding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have spread rapidly after claims circulated on social media that he had been killed in an Iranian airstrike, with viral videos later emerging that appeared to show inconsistencies, fueling speculation about possible AI manipulation.
Some users pointed to visual anomalies in the clips, such as irregular hand features, including what appeared to be an extra finger, as evidence the videos were digitally manipulated. The claims quickly gained traction across platforms, fueling speculation about the authenticity of the footage.
In response, Netanyahu released a video addressing the rumors, appearing to confirm that he is alive and continuing his duties. However, some online users continued to question the footage, highlighting perceived inconsistencies and suggesting it may also have been edited or generated using artificial intelligence.
There is no verified evidence to support the claims that the videos are AI-generated or that Netanyahu is not alive. Experts say the spread of such theories reflects growing public concern over the increasing realism of AI-generated content and the difficulty of distinguishing between authentic and manipulated media.
