Viral claims on Netanyahu’s brother killed in Iran strike found false
Tel Aviv/Tehran: Social media platforms have been flooded with unverified claims alleging that an Iranian air strike in Tel Aviv killed Iddo Netanyahu, brother of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and injured Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir after his residence was purportedly set ablaze.
However, there is no official confirmation or credible report to substantiate these claims. No Israeli authority has reported any strike on Ben-Gvir’s residence in Tel Aviv. There has not been any confirmation of an attack involving Iddo Netanyahu, as reported by Hindustan Times.
Several posts circulating online have further alleged that Israeli media attempted to conceal Ben-Gvir’s supposed injuries from an air strike by attributing them to a car accident. A assessment of existing information and resources reveals no proof for these statements.
The rumors stemmed from a road accident in Ramle, Israel, in April 2024. Ben-Gvir's vehicle apparently crossed a red light and crashed with another car, causing it to overturn. He, his daughter and the driver sustained minor injuries in that incident. There have been no reports of any recent accident involving the minister.
Authorities have not issued any statement corroborating the viral claims regarding Ben-Gvir or Iddo Netanyahu.
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Surjewala slams Pratap Simha’s ‘vile’ remarks on CM Siddaramaiah, demands apology from BJP
Bengaluru (PTI): Congress general secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the BJP over alleged disparaging remarks made by former Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during an assembly bypoll campaign in Bagalkote.
Simha made the remarks while campaigning for BJP candidate Veerabhadrayya Charantimath, triggering a political row ahead of the by-elections scheduled for April 9.
Congress has fielded Umesh Meti, son of former MLA late M Y Meti, whose death necessitated the bye-election.
"Pratap Simha's vile remarks about Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in Bagalkot have exposed the BJP's despicable politics once again," Surjewala said in a social media post.
Alleging a larger political design, he added, "It is increasingly evident that Pratap Simha’s outburst is driven by desperation," and accused the BJP of using such remarks to target backward classes, Scheduled Castes, and minorities.
The Rajya Sabha member further claimed that the incident reflects a pattern within the party. "This is not one man's madness—it is the BJP’s political culture," he said, adding that the remarks were aimed at "denigrating leaders from marginalised communities".
Referring to past incidents, Surjewala said, "CM Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar have received death threats in the past, including one from BJP leaders who warned that their bodies would be stuffed into a refrigerator."
The Congress leader also criticised the BJP’s bypoll campaign strategy, alleging "internal contradictions".
He pointed to the party’s use of expelled MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal in campaigning despite earlier disciplinary action against him, accusing the BJP of resorting to "abuses and indignities" against opposition leaders.
Surjewala demanded immediate action from the BJP leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP national president Nitin Nabin, state president B Y Vijayendra, and Leader of Opposition R Ashoka.
He said they must tender a public apology to Kannadigas, particularly to OBCs, SCs, and minorities, over the remarks, and urged the party to expel Simha if it does not repudiate his statements.
Surjewala also called for legal action, demanding that an FIR be registered against Simha and that strict measures be taken.
Warning of "political consequences", he said the electorate in the bypoll-bound constituencies would respond decisively if the BJP failed to apologise, asserting that voters would "teach the BJP a befitting lesson" in the elections.
There has been no immediate reaction from the saffron party yet.
