A new controversy has erupted online after speculation spread that a video of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was generated or altered using artificial intelligence.
The video, released amid an escalating conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, became the center of heated debate across social media platform X.
Frame-by-frame scrutiny drives AI claims
Users began analyzing videos frame by frame, sharing screenshots and slow clips that they claimed revealed signs of AI-generated media.
One particular still image immediately caught my attention. Multiple users have claimed that in that frame, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s hand appears distorted as he gestures near the microphone, showing six fingers instead of five, a feature often cited online as a common flaw in AI-generated images.
Last time I checked, humans don’t usually have six fingers… AI does.
Is Netenyahu no more? pic.twitter.com/EUkIsKGmHR
— AustraliaFirstOnly (@gigabasedd) March 13, 2026
The clip quickly spread across platforms, with many posts highlighting the alleged “digital glitch” and the extra finger.
Viral post questions Prime Minister Netanyahu’s whereabouts
Some users went further and suggested that the video may suggest that AI-generated avatars and composite footage were used during wartime communications.
One viral post claimed: “Breaking news: Latest video released by Israeli government shows Prime Minister Netanyahu’s six fingers are AI-generated.” Another questioned whether the Israeli leader was present and asked why the government would publish what it claimed was an AI-generated speech.
The speculation gained momentum as the video circulated widely online, garnering millions of views and comments.
Fact checker rejects ‘Six Fingers’ claim
However, this claim was challenged by Grok, an AI chatbot associated with the platform.
In response to a post promoting the allegations, Grok said that Prime Minister Netanyahu, like most people, has five fingers on each hand. The frame in question showed a typical pointing gesture at a podium, with the angle and highlights creating an optical illusion that made the hand appear unusual, the statement said.
Discussion extends beyond social media users
The debate also attracted attention from public figures, including American conservative commentator Candace Owens, who questioned Netanyahu’s whereabouts in a post about X.
“Where is Bibi?” she wrote, referring to the Israeli leader by his nickname. She also asked why his office allegedly published and removed what she called a “fake AI video.”
The controversy unfolded on Friday when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shared a video message in which he referred to the ongoing war involving Israel, the United States and Iran that has engulfed much of the Middle East and entered its 15th day.
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