Israeli Ambassador to India Reuven Azar on Monday dismissed rumours about the death of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and said Israel is ready to stop hostilities if Iran alters its approach, as the West Asia conflict entered its 17th day.
Addressing reporters in New Delhi during a briefing on Israel’s Operation Roaring Lion, Azar rejected speculation circulating on social media that Netanyahu had been fatally injured.
“PM Netanyahu is alive. I saw him when I was in Israel more than once. The video at the cafe is not AI-fabricated. A lot of disinformation is being spread,” Azar said.
He accused Iran and its “accomplices” of spreading false information.
“Look, this is a classical disinformation projection that the Iranians and their accomplices are trying to do. Our prime minister is feeling very well. I met him personally following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit (to Israel). He's completely intact. He also showed that yesterday in a video when he visited a cafe in Israel. So don't worry, he's okay," he said.
Speculation about Netanyahu’s condition had circulated online over the past week amid his relative absence from public appearances. On Sunday, Netanyahu appeared to mock the rumours in a video posted on his personal X account showing him ordering coffee at what appeared to be a roadside mini market.
In the video, Netanyahu can be heard saying, “Great (he tells the seller giving him coffee), Thanks.” “What did you ask me?” he is seen asking the videographer. When told that channels were saying he is dead, Netanyahu mocks, “I am dying for coffee.”
Azar also addressed the ongoing conflict, saying Israel remains open to diplomacy but had resorted to military action after exhausting diplomatic options.
“We are always for diplomacy. Unfortunately, we exhausted diplomacy to the extent that we had to take military action. We hope that diplomacy will be relevant again as a result of our military action,” he said.
He added that Israel had recently consulted “diplomatic channels”, including partners such as the United States and several countries in the region, as well as some nations with which it does not have formal diplomatic ties.
According to the envoy, Israeli strikes have significantly weakened Iran’s offensive capabilities.
“Right now, we are controlling the skies of Iran,” Azar told reporters, adding, “They are in dire straits.”
“We’re ready to stop hostilities if Iran changes course,” he said, adding that the future would be “brighter” if Iran decides to “change course” and recognises Israel.