IRGC threatens to ‘hunt down, kill Netanyahu’

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has threatened to hunt down and kill Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel.

In a statement released on Sunday through Sepah News, its official website, the Iranian military organisation described Netanyahu as a “child-killing criminal” and vowed to pursue him with force.

“If this criminal, the killer of children, is still alive, we will continue working to hunt him down and kill him with all our strength,” the statement said.

The threat followed speculation online about Netanyahu’s health and whereabouts.

However, the Israeli prime minister’s office dismissed the rumours, stating that the leader was in good health.

“These are fake news; the Prime Minister is fine,” the office told Anadolu Agency in response to claims circulating on social media that Netanyahu had been killed in retaliation for recent strikes.

The speculation grew after a video of Netanyahu circulated online, with some users claiming he appeared to have “six fingers”.

The claim prompted suggestions that the clip might have been generated using artificial intelligence, further fuelling rumours about his condition and location.

The statement from the IRGC comes as the conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States entered its 16th day.

On February 28, US and Israeli forces carried out air strikes on Iranian territory.

In response, Iran launched ballistic missiles and drones towards Israel and also targeted US military bases and facilities in Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar and Jordan.