Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared in person at a press conference on Thursday, directly addressing false claims that he had died.
“I’m alive, and you’re all witnesses,” he told reporters.
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The in-person appearance was his first live briefing since the US-Israel war with Iran began. It followed days of viral online speculation that the Israeli leader had been killed and that his government was using artificial intelligence to conceal it.
Moreover, the death rumors gained traction after social media users closely scrutinized Netanyahu’s recent video addresses, alleging they were AI-generated. Netanyahu’s office had also clarified that the prime minister was “fine” and dismissed the circulating claims as fake news.
Nonetheless, the speculation continued online. Thursday’s live press conference has put the matter to rest once and for all. Netanyahu stated that he had, in his own words, “dispatched this piece of fake news.”
Meanwhile, his latest press conference comes as the US-Israel-Iran war continues to escalate. Iran ramped up strikes on energy facilities across the Gulf.
The offensive, a response to Israel hitting a major Iranian gas field, rattled energy markets. Netanyahu stated that Israel “acted alone” against the Asaluyeh gas compound. He added that,
“President Trump asked us to hold off on future attacks, and we’re holding off.”
The prime minister also claimed that Iran no longer has “the capacity to enrich uranium” or manufacture ballistic missiles.
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