By The South Asia Times

DUBAI - An explosive claim by Iranian state media that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been killed in recent attacks has ignited a firestorm of speculation, with the Israeli leader's prolonged absence from the public eye fueling questions that official denials have failed to extinguish.

More than 48 hours after the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced it had "eliminated" the Israeli prime minister, Netanyahu has not appeared before cameras or held a live press conference, leaving a vacuum quickly filled by conspiracy theories and genuine concern.

The IRGC-linked media published a report promoting speculation that Netanyahu may have been killed or wounded in recent strikes.

The Persian-language item assembled circumstantial evidence: the absence of recent video clips of Netanyahu, reports in Hebrew-language media about tightened security around his residence, and the postponement of a reported visit by US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.

The report also cited a former US intelligence officer Scott Ritter, through Russian media, alleging that Iran had bombed Netanyahu's hideout and that his brother had been killed. However, Iranian Tasnim New Agency acknowledged the speculation had not been officially confirmed but presented the fragments as pointing to a hidden event.

"Unverified social media claims alleging that Iran bombed the home of Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and killed his brother, while wounding National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, have circulated widely online following comments by former US intelligence officer Scott Ritter," Tasnim News Agency reported on March 10.

On March 2, the IRGC had explicitly claimed responsibility for striking Netanyahu's office, stating on Telegram that "the office of the criminal Israeli PM, Netanyahu, and the location of the regime's Air Force commander were struck in targeted and surprise attacks by Kheybar Shekan ballistic missiles".

What has fueled the speculation is not just Iranian propaganda but what Netanyahu has not done. In previous crises, the Israeli prime minister has moved swiftly to address the nation. This time, he has remained conspicuously absent from live media appearances.

Instead of live press conferences, Netanyahu's office has released pre-recorded video statements and text-based remarks. On March 12, his office published a transcript of remarks described as delivered at a press conference, but the event itself was not broadcast live, and no footage showing him speaking in real-time that day has been released.

Israeli journalists have expressed frustration that the prime minister has refused to answer questions from the press. According to Asharq Al-Awsat, government ministers have reportedly been instructed not to speak with journalists, and Netanyahu has released only daily video statements as the conflict entered its 15th day.

Media outlets sharply criticized the government on Thursday, arguing that the public is being left in the dark about the war's goals and the prime minister's status.

- Official denials: "fake news"

Israeli officials have dismissed the Iranian claims as "fake news". The Prime Minister's Office has pointed to several pieces of evidence to demonstrate that Netanyahu is alive and functioning:

On March 7, the Prime Minister's Office published an official statement attributed to Netanyahu. The government portal listed him as having visited an impact site in Beersheba on March 6. On March 10, the official X account of the Prime Minister of Israel posted a message from Netanyahu during a visit to the port of Ashdod, and the Government Press Office's YouTube channel published a video showing the visit.

On March 12, a Chinese media outlet, Jimu News, cited a press conference where Netanyahu reportedly said he speaks with President Trump "every day" and that their exchanges are "candid and open".

Yet none of these appearances show Netanyahu speaking live, in real-time, in an unscripted setting where he could take questions.

Adding to the speculation, a video released Friday purporting to show Netanyahu addressing the nation sparked accusations of AI manipulation. Social media users pointed to a moment where Netanyahu appeared to have six fingers on his right hand, alleging the footage was a "deepfake" created to hide the prime minister's true status.

X's AI chatbot, Grok, and independent fact-checkers have debunked these claims, clarifying that the "sixth finger" was an optical illusion caused by camera angle and lighting at the podium. But the incident has further eroded public confidence in official communications.

Multiple fact-checking organizations have examined the death claims and found them false.

If Netanyahu is alive, as official sources insist, why the prolonged absence from live media? The answer may lie in wartime security protocols.

For now, the question remains: where is Netanyahu.?