“If he’s alive, we’ll kill him”: Iran’s Revolutionary Guards issue chilling threat to Netanyahu

“If this child-killing criminal is alive, we will continue to pursue and kill him with full force,” the Guards said on their official website, Sepah News, according to a report by The Times of Israel.

The threat comes amid a wave of social media speculation about Netanyahu’s health and safety, with several posts falsely claiming that the Israeli leader had died.

Netanyahu’s office quickly dismissed the rumours.

“Benjamin Netanyahu is fine,” the Prime Minister’s office said on Saturday, putting an end to the speculation.

Viral claims over video authenticity

The rumours began circulating online after some users questioned the authenticity of a video Netanyahu shared on his X account during a press conference about the ongoing US–Israel–Iran war.

When asked about the claims by a correspondent from Anadolu Agency, Netanyahu’s office rejected them outright.

“These are fake news; the Prime Minister is fine,” the office said.

Speculation intensified after social media users pointed to a frame in the video where Netanyahu raises his hand. Some claimed the image appeared to show six fingers — something they argued was a typical glitch seen in AI-generated videos.

The moment appears around the 0:35 mark, where what looks like extra flesh next to the little finger triggered claims that the video had been artificially generated.

The theory quickly spread online, with commentators questioning whether Netanyahu had actually appeared in the video.

Among them was American conservative commentator Candace Owens, who wrote on X: “Where’s Bibi?” — using Netanyahu’s nickname — while questioning why the Israeli leader’s office was allegedly posting and deleting “AI videos”.

Online debate over visuals

Some users also argued that the video’s background appeared unnatural, pointing out that curtains seemed to move in a repeated pattern while Israeli flags behind Netanyahu remained still.

Others rejected the claim, noting that many broadcasts use virtual or static backgrounds, which could explain the unusual visual effects.

X’s AI chatbot Grok later addressed the viral claim, saying the supposed “sixth finger” was likely an optical illusion caused by shadows, hand angles, or the natural shape of the palm.

“Full official footage from Israel’s Government Press Office clearly shows standard five fingers per hand,” the chatbot said.

War enters Day 16

The speculation comes as the conflict involving Israel, the United States and Iran entered its 16th day.

Joint US–Israeli strikes on Iran reportedly began on February 28, killing Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on the first day of the war, according to reports.

Iran has since retaliated with attacks on regional energy infrastructure and shut down the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz — a crucial global energy route that typically carries around 20 million barrels of oil per day and roughly 20 percent of the world’s LNG trade.