Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the media Thursday evening, directly confronting viral rumors claiming he had been killed or left in a coma following an alleged Iranian missile strike.

Speaking to foreign journalists, Netanyahu declared: “You’re witnesses that I’m alive,” dismissing days of online speculation that spread rapidly across social media.

The Prime Minister delivered his remarks as Israel continues its ongoing war against the Iranian regime, emphasizing both national resilience and strategic objectives.

“I am proud of the Israeli people,” Netanyahu said, acknowledging the strain on civilians. “I understand the difficulty of staying in shelters, I understand the difficulty of businesses, but your patience allows us to achieve the goals of this campaign. Our roar echoes throughout the world.”

Netanyahu also addressed economic concerns, stating that Israel is working to gradually reopen the economy while ensuring compensation for those impacted.

“We are investing a huge amount of capital in this and we need to add more,” he said.

Turning to the war effort, Netanyahu made clear Israel’s red lines, declaring that Iran “will not have the ability to enrich uranium and produce more ballistic missiles.”

In remarks delivered in English, Netanyahu highlighted coordination with Washington, saying that under President Trump’s leadership, the United States and Israel are acting “with great determination and unprecedented strength.”

He described the ongoing military campaign, dubbed Operation Rising Lion, as a mission to eliminate existential threats posed by the Iranian regime.

“The regime has waged war against America, Israel, and even its own people for 47 years,” Netanyahu said. “It chants ‘Death to America,’ ‘Death to Israel,’ and delivers death to its own people.”

Netanyahu outlined three primary objectives: eliminating Iran’s nuclear capabilities, dismantling its ballistic missile program, and preventing those threats from being moved deep underground beyond the reach of airstrikes.

He added that the broader goal is to create conditions that allow the Iranian people to determine their own future.