Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted a video on his official social media channels on Mar. 15 showing him casually ordering coffee at the Sataf cafe in Jerusalem’s hills.
In the clip, he sips from his cup, raises both hands to display five fingers each and quips in Hebrew, “I’m dying for coffee.” The gesture was intended to disprove viral claims that he had been killed by Iran and that his last video posted on Mar. 13 was AI-generated. Several social media users alleged that his supposed AI depiction in that address was apparent because he had six fingers on one hand at a particular point.
Following Bibi’s show of hands at the coffee shop, he declared “L’chaim” (to life).
These rumours gained traction after Iranian state media, including Tasnim News Agency and IRNA, claimed Netanyahu was dead or severely injured in retaliatory strikes following U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran. There have also been unverified assertions that other Israeli figures, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, have been killed or wounded.
Additional details have contributed to speculation about the prime minister’s purported assassination as well. His son Yair, who normally posts on X several times per day, has been completely silent for more than a week. Furthermore, Netanyahu was absent from a key War Council security briefing on Mar. 14, which many perceived as being highly irregular.
Now, in the latest development, many are seriously questioning the legitimacy of the latest footage and picking out details they view as questionable.
At first I thought the Benjamin Netanyahu rumors were kind of silly. Sounds crazy, right?
But after watching this part of his coffee video, I am genuinely starting to question if they are using a highly advanced AI system.
I slowed down this part, where it almost looks like his… pic.twitter.com/sq81zrZGYW
— Matt Wallace (@MattWallace888) March 15, 2026
Read more: Chinese officials ban local firms from using Israeli or U.S. cybersecurity software
Grok’s AI allegations drive skepticism
Despite the video’s release and confirmations from the cafe itself via Instagram photos, many are not buying its authenticity.
Doubts exploded online after Grok, the xAI chatbot, publicly declared that it was 100 per cent sure the footage was an advanced AI deepfake.
Grok’s claim had massive impact, reigniting death rumours across X and media outlets with viral threads dissecting frames and users declaring things like “Nice try… NOTenyahu.” The popular large language model has amplified conspiracy buzz considerably.
Moreover, online speculators quickly found anomalies with the clip, including a visible 2024 date on cafe signage despite the 2026 posting, staff and customers inexplicably wearing masks and inconsistencies with the cup. They have been saying that the coffee should have spilt with the way Netanyahu handled it and that there was no change with the foam or liquid level after he took a sizeable sip. Some believe he appears far too young for a 76-year-old male.
Separately, a graphic image purporting to show Netanyahu severely wounded from a missile strike has circulated widely, though Grok has explicitly stated that the image is fake.
Was Benjamin Netanyahu killed by an Iranian ballistic missile strike?
In the report below I breakdown the FACTS and examine the “Fortress of Zion,” as well as reports that the latest Netanyahu video is AI.
The underground Israeli military command base located beneath the… pic.twitter.com/okRZDlf86j
— Alex Jones (@RealAlexJones) March 14, 2026
Israel’s AI stature adds fuel to the fire
The nation boasts world-leading generative AI capabilities, with advanced deepfake and video synthesis technologies honed for defence and intelligence.
Israel’s edge comes from a deeply integrated ecosystem. Elite state military units like Unit 8200, for instance, have spawned startups specializing in real-time video generation and manipulation. They are supported by government programs that fund AI for both cybersecurity and strategic communications.
These tools are capable of producing footage with convincing shadows, ambient sounds and location-specific details that are often indistinguishable from reality even under frame-by-frame scrutiny.
Only time and additional probes will tell whether the cafe video is authentic or a masterful fake, and the inherent implications.
Read more: Israel based hacker group steals millions from Iran’s largest cryptocurrency exchange
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