“Is it AI?”: Prime Minister Netanyahu’s “disappeared” ring seen in latest video fuels death rumors again | World News

Last updated:March 17, 2026, 10:26 IST

Amid rumors of his death, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shared a video about X, sparking speculation that his ring may have disappeared. The video refutes rumors of his death and shows him in Jerusalem.

Prime Minister Netanyahu shared the video on Monday. (Image: X/@netanyahu)

Amid rumors of his death, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shared a video from his official X account on Monday that has sparked new speculation online, with viewers claiming that the ring on his finger appears to momentarily disappear as he moves his arm.

“Breaking News: Why does Prime Minister Netanyahu’s ring disappear when he moves his arm…is this also AI??” one user wrote on X.

“Slowed down frame by frame! Looks like Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ring disappeared while he was moving his hand. This is 100% real footage screen recorded directly from the video he posted today. It’s starting to freak me out…” said while sharing a slowed clip of the Israeli prime minister.

The footage shows Netanyahu walking outside in Jerusalem and casually interacting with civilians. The film was released amid persistent rumors about his death online amid the ongoing conflict involving Israel, the United States, and Iran.

The video appears to be aimed at rebutting these claims, which have intensified in recent days as regional conflict escalates following the joint US-Israeli attack on Iran that began on February 28 and subsequent Iranian retaliation.

Prime Minister Netanyahu interacts with local residents

The video shows Prime Minister Netanyahu speaking with local residents. “How beautiful,” he said, “Thank you. Thank you. Good. Let’s soak up the sunshine.” At one point, he noticed a dog and asked, “Whose dog is this? What breed is it?” The woman replies, “I’m a Canaanite, an Israelite.” He continued, “Well done, Canaanite Israelite. It’s good for her to get out a little. It’s good for everyone. Did she go outside for some air?” He added, “As long as there’s a sheltered space nearby, of course.”

Questions about the authenticity of a recent video featuring Netanyahu had already surfaced after another video emerged showing Netanyahu holding up six fingers, prompting claims that it may have been artificially manipulated.

On Sunday, he denied rumors of his death in another video filmed in a Jerusalem cafe, joking, “I died…because of the coffee,” before holding up his hands and saying, “Would you like to count my fingers? You can see it here… and you can see it here. Do you understand? It’s very good.”

Prime Minister Netanyahu has missed several important meetings recently.

Speculation has grown following unconfirmed reports on social media suggesting that Prime Minister Netanyahu has recently missed several Cabinet meetings during the ongoing conflict in Iran, with some claiming that Netanyahu has missed seven consecutive Cabinet meetings, raising concerns about his health and whereabouts. A video of the meeting without him in sight fueled speculation, but there is no confirmation that the footage is from a recent meeting and may be from an earlier one.

Rumors escalated to claims that he was seriously injured or killed in an airstrike. Israeli authorities have dismissed these reports as false, saying Netanyahu is alive and actively managing political affairs and has appeared in recent photos and videos to refute the claims.

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