Netanyahu releases video to counter death rumors amid conflict

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu published a video on social media Sunday to refute rumors circulating online and statements from Iranian officials claiming he had been killed, injured, or was in an uncertain condition amid the ongoing conflict.

In the video, recorded at a café near Jerusalem, Netanyahu appeared in good humor while ordering coffee and directly addressing the death rumors. "I'm dying for a coffee. I'm dying for my people. How are they behaving? Fantastic. Do you want to count the number of fingers?" he said, raising both hands and counting his fingers in a mocking reference to one of the internet rumors that had circulated over the weekend.

That rumor had claimed Netanyahu appeared with six fingers in a recent official video. By displaying all ten fingers on camera, Netanyahu directly countered the allegation.

In the video, Netanyahu also stated: "They say I'm what?" while smiling at the camera. He expressed gratitude for public support, saying "Your support is incredible; it strengthens me, the government and the Israel Defense Forces."

Netanyahu added that Israeli forces were conducting operations he could not disclose at the time, while also carrying out what he described as "very important operations in Iran and Lebanon."

The video was released following statements from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which characterized Netanyahu as a criminal and vowed to pursue and kill him. Iran's military claimed to have conducted drone attacks against what it described as an important Israeli military unit.

In reference to the ongoing conflict, Netanyahu urged Israelis to remain alert and follow security protocols during rocket alerts.