“Netanyahu is dead” has topped trending lists on the X platform recently, with searches for the death of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu surged following his latest appearance, which sparked controversy after he posted a video on his X page.
How did the trend begin?
The controversy began after Netanyahu posted a video on his X page discussing the latest developments in the war with Iran.
This was accompanied by people specifically pointing to footage showing him with six fingers, suggesting it might have been a artificial-intelligence (AI) deepfake created to cover up Netyanahu’s death.
One X user commented, “Tell me, Bibi, are you so special that you have six fingers, or are you no longer with us?”
Another noted that all the fingers appeared to be the same length, which seemed unnatural.
“This is an AI-generated video. Where is Netanyahu? Is he still alive?” one user asked.
These users considered these details evidence that the video was not real, but rather created using artificial intelligence techniques, which can sometimes produce inaccurate details in images and videos.
North Korean media steps in
The controversy intensified after reports broadcast by unofficial North Korean television indicated that there were unnatural elements in the video, explaining that Netanyahu’s movements and voice did not sound entirely natural.
The North Korean channel stated: “Is this video of Benjamin Netanyahu generated by AI? There seems to be something unnatural about it; the movements and voice do not sound entirely natural.”
A post attributed to the new Iranian Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, reportedly confirming Netanyahu’s death, further fueled a wave of speculation and questions on social media.
These claims were accompanied by other accounts suggesting that Netanyahu’s recent speech may have been produced using AI, thus opening the door to debate about the authenticity of the video and the truth behind what is being shared on digital platforms.
The truth behind Netanyahu’s latest appearance
However, there were no indications of hand deformities or extra fingers in the full version of Netanyahu’s speech.
Instead, the viral footage may have been edited, cropped, or digitally manipulated, thereby contributing to the spread of misinterpretations.
So far, no official statement has been issued either confirming or denying the claims.
In the early hours of the war with Iran in early March, social media users circulated news of the assassination of Netanyahu, along with the Chief of Staff, following an Iranian missile strike targeting a cabinet meeting in occupied Jerusalem.
However, this news lacked any official source, and international and Israeli media outlets confirmed that the images circulating of the alleged incident site were generated using AI to incite panic and confusion.
International and Israeli media outlets at the time denied the validity of these claims, emphasizing that the Israeli Prime Minister had made statements shortly beforehand describing the current days as “difficult” and vowing to escalate strikes against Iran.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
