SHAH ALAM - Reports by an Iranian news agency have sparked global speculation after claiming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may have been killed or seriously wounded in recent retaliatory strikes.
According to Tasnim News Agency, Netanyahu has not appeared in public for nearly four days which was unusual as he typically releases daily video messages.
The report said statements attributed to him during this period were issued only in written form, with no video or photographic confirmation.
The news agency also alleged that Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Netanyahu’s brother, Iddo, may also have been killed, although the claims remained unverified.
Speculation has also grown after United States (US) envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner abruptly cancelled a planned visit to Israel for high-level talks on the ongoing conflict with Iran.
Neither the US nor Israeli officials have explained the cancellation.
It was also reported that Israeli authorities have so far not issued any public denial regarding the claims, while security around the Prime Minister’s residence has reportedly been tightened.
Tasnim also noted that the speculation had not been officially confirmed or denied.
The tensions come amid a widening conflict that began on Feb 28 with joint US–Israeli strikes, with fighting also involving Hezbollah and the Houthi movement.
Casualties from the conflict have reportedly exceeded 2,000, with hundreds of thousands displaced.