Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has appeared in a video posted on social media to dismiss rumours circulating online and in Iranian state media that falsely claimed he had been killed or injured.
The video, filmed at a café on the outskirts of Jerusalem, shows Netanyahu casually drinking coffee while responding to a question from an aide about the speculation.
Responding with a play on the Hebrew word for “dead” — which in slang can also mean being enthusiastic about something — Netanyahu joked that he was “crazy about coffee” before adding that he was also “crazy about my people”.
The clip was shared on the prime minister’s Telegram and X accounts on Sunday and appeared aimed at countering a wave of misinformation that had spread widely on social media in Iran.
According to Reuters, the location of the video was verified by matching the café’s interior with previously published images of the venue. Photos and videos posted by the café also confirmed Netanyahu’s visit on the same day.
The rumours emerged amid heightened regional tensions following joint military strikes by Israel and the United States against Iranian targets on February 28. Since the escalation began, Iranian missile attacks have struck several locations in Israel, prompting heightened security measures across the country.
Public safety restrictions introduced during the conflict have limited large gatherings, closed schools in many areas and kept residents close to shelters and safe rooms.
Despite the security situation, Netanyahu has made several visits to locations affected by missile strikes, including towns, a hospital, a port and military bases. Access for journalists to those visits has been limited, with most images and video footage distributed by the prime minister’s office.
Netanyahu, who rarely grants interviews to Israeli media or holds press conferences, addressed reporters last week in his first briefing since the latest escalation, appearing via video link.
Alongside the rumours about Netanyahu’s death, other pieces of misinformation have circulated online, including false claims involving Indian journalist Aditya Raj Kaul.
Posts circulating on social media alleged that Kaul had been arrested in Israel after reporting the location of the prime minister. The claim was widely shared by accounts linked to networks in Pakistan and other countries, but there is no evidence supporting the allegation.
Kaul, who has been reporting from Israel, has publicly denied the claims and said he remains active on social media while continuing his coverage of the conflict.
In a post on X, Kaul said the claims were fabricated and called on the platform to act against accounts spreading threats and misinformation. He said the rumours were part of a coordinated propaganda effort that began on Pakistani social media networks and was later amplified by other accounts online.
The circulation of the false claims highlights the growing role of online misinformation during periods of geopolitical conflict, where unverified reports and rumours can spread rapidly across platforms and across borders.
As the conflict between Israel and Iran continues to escalate, authorities and journalists alike have warned that verifying information has become increasingly difficult in an environment dominated by competing narratives and online propaganda.
Support our Journalism
No-nonsense journalism. No paywalls. Whether you’re in Australia, the UK, Canada, the USA, or India, you can support The Australia Today by taking a paid subscription via Patreon or donating via PayPal — and help keep honest, fearless journalism alive.
