Benjamin Netanyahu's office has set the record straight, assuring citizens of the Prime Minister's well-being while dismissing conspiracy theories.
Image: Sputnik
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has firmly rebutted speculation regarding his absence amid heightened tensions in the ongoing conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran.
In an official statement, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) termed the claims suggesting that Netanyahu had been assassinated as “fake news”, seeking to reassure a concerned public in a time of escalating hostilities.
While responding to a query from the Turkey-based Anadolu Agency about the speculations, the PMO denied the claims outright. “These are fake news; the Prime Minister is fine,” the office said.
The rumours about Netanyahu’s death gained momentum after a video shared by Netanyahu on X on Friday showed him addressing a press conference regarding the ongoing Israel-US-Iran conflict. Social media users soon started to speculate that the Israeli premier had six fingers on his right hand when he briefly raised it during the speech.
Netanyahu was notably absent from high-level ministerial and security cabinet meeting held a few days ago, marking the first time he has missed such a session since the outbreak of the "Second Iran War".
Following targeted strikes on Iranian leadership and subsequent missile barrages, a high-level meeting of military and cabinet officials took place amid significant regional escalation. Netanyahu’s unexplained absence from this meeting has sparked intense speculation concerning his health, safety, and potential strategic motives.
While these reports originated from regional broadcasters, the volume of global coverage has prompted Western capitals to issue urgent requests for clarification. This has resulted in an immediate "information blackout" as governments work to verify the status of the Israeli leadership.
Global financial markets have reacted sharply, with oil and gold prices increasing due to the uncertainty. Furthermore, security protocols in Jerusalem and at Israeli diplomatic missions worldwide have been elevated to their highest levels.
Analysts are currently debating the potential for either a succession crisis or a shift in military trajectory, weighing whether this event will lead to a ceasefire or a further escalation of operations. The world is currently awaiting an official statement from the Israeli Cabinet to confirm or debunk these reports.
Political analyst Gideon Hlamalani Chitanga, from the University of Johannesburg, acknowledges that Netanyahu is the central figure, architect, and primary driver of the war in Israel.
''So, his absence from critical meetings would obviously be noticed, while raising concerns in Israel and the US.
''There could be many explanations about his absence, including ill health (he had some medical procedure done on him a few months ago), or anything related to the ongoing speculation.''
Chitanga said until the government of Israel prounonces the official cause, or he appears in public we will never surely know.
''This war is also being fought on social media and other information platforms.
''What is clear though is that whatever his situation, the Government of Israel will calculate not to jeopardise its war goals by saying too much to the public, which could demoralise its military and security personnel and the public, and dymystify the often claimed sense of invincibility.''
Chitanga concluded that for Iran, that would be a major moral booster.