A video showing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu drinking coffee at a café sparked online speculation after Grok claimed the clip was ‘100% deepfake’
Jerusalem: Amid viral rumours that he had been assassinated, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted a video from a coffee shop in Tel Aviv denying claims circulating on social media that he had died. The clip showed Netanyahu casually ordering coffee and speaking to people around him while addressing the rumours.
However, the video itself quickly became the subject of further speculation after Grok, the chatbot developed by xAI, responded to a user query by claiming the clip was AI-generated. In a follow-up response, Grok reportedly described the video as a “100% deepfake,” intensifying online debate.
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The speculation came after earlier social media posts claimed that another video of Netanyahu appeared to show him with six fingers, leading some users to allege that it had been created using artificial intelligence. Those claims were later dismissed as false by Anadolu Agency, which reported that the images were misleading.
The rumours about Netanyahu’s death began spreading online after the recent escalation between Israel and Iran. Social media posts falsely suggested that the Israeli leader had been assassinated following military strikes linked to the ongoing conflict in the region.
In the café video, Netanyahu mocked the rumours about his death while holding up his hands to the camera and referring to the speculation about the number of fingers visible in previous clips. He also thanked Israeli citizens for their support and urged people to remain cautious during the ongoing conflict.
Netanyahu added that citizens could go outside briefly but should remain close to protected shelters and continue following guidance from authorities.
Online rumours have also claimed that Netanyahu’s brother Iddo Netanyahu and Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir had been killed in an airstrike. These claims were later debunked, with reports confirming that both individuals were safe.
Despite the speculation, Netanyahu’s official social media accounts and the office of the Israeli prime minister have continued to post updates showing him in Israel. The latest posts indicate that the 76-year-old leader remains active in Tel Aviv amid the ongoing regional tensions.
Published: 16 Mar 2026, 09:20 am IST
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