Multiple unverified claims about the death of Israeli Prime Minister (PM) Benjamin Netanyahu have circulated widely on social media, suggesting that he was killed in an Iranian airstrike amid the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict.

 

Similar posts have targeted his brother Iddo Netanyahu and Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, alleging that they were also injured. 

 

Many of the claims were shared alongside videos of airstrikes and AI-generated images, sometimes amplified by commentary from former US intelligence officer Scott Ritter.

 

Reports cited by Tasnim News Agency did not provide evidence of an attack on Netanyahu or confirmation of injury. The articles referenced circumstantial factors, including the absence of recent videos of the prime minister and heightened security around his residence.

 

Speculation appeared to gain traction because it had been nearly three days since the last video of Netanyahu was posted on his personal channel, and almost four days since recent images were shared publicly. Previously, at least one video, and sometimes up to three, were typically posted each day.

 

Additional reports said that the security perimeter around Netanyahu’s home had been increased, reportedly to counter potential drone threats. Observers also pointed to the cancellation of a planned visit to Israel by Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, and Steve Witkoff, United States special envoy to the Middle East. A separate report from the Elysée Palace did not specify the date of a phone conversation between French President Emmanuel Macron and Netanyahu, releasing only a text transcript.

 

Israeli officials and international media have described the claims as false. Netanyahu’s office dismissed reports of his death as “fake news.”

 

Public updates show Netanyahu continuing his official duties. On March 10, he visited Israel’s National Health Command Centre, and on March 11, he conducted a visit to Ashdod Port to assess maritime trade operations during Operation Roaring Lion. Video footage of both visits was released publicly.

Images circulating online that claimed to show Netanyahu after an attack were flagged as AI-generated.