A short clip posted Monday on Benjamin Netanyahu’s official X account has renewed online speculation about his health and even his death after viewers said a ring on his finger appears to vanish briefly as he moves. One user wrote, “BREAKING: WHY DOES NETANYAHU’S RING DISAPPEAR AS HE MOVES HIS ARM… Is this also AI??” Another shared a slowed-down version and declared the footage “100% real” after examining it frame by frame.
The video shows Netanyahu walking outdoors in Jerusalem, chatting with residents, complimenting a dog and asking its breed. It appears timed to counter persistent death rumours that have spread amid heightened regional tensions following joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran on Feb. 28 and Tehran’s subsequent retaliatory actions.
This episode follows earlier circulated clips that prompted authenticity questions, including one that led some viewers to claim he had six fingers. On Sunday, Netanyahu posted a lighthearted cafe video in which he joked, “I am dead… for coffee,” holding up both hands to show his fingers.
Unverified reports that he missed several cabinet meetings during the Iran conflict fueled the speculation; videos highlighting his alleged absence circulated online though their dates are unclear. Israeli authorities have dismissed claims that he is dead, saying Netanyahu is alive, actively managing government business and appearing in recent photos and videos.
Media- and imaging experts contacted about the disappearing ring said the effect is most likely a visual artifact caused by motion blur, lighting or video compression, rather than proof of AI manipulation. The clip is widely seen as part of a broader effort to reassure the public about the prime minister’s condition.
