Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu undergoes successful prostate surgery, hospital says
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu successfully underwent surgery to have his prostate removed, hospital officials said Sunday.
The 75-year-old leader, who has had a series of health issues in recent years, was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection resulting from a benign prostate enlargement, his office said.
Jerusalem's Hadassah Medical Center announced late Sunday that the procedure had been "completed successfully." Justice Minister Yariv Levin, a close ally, served as acting prime minister during the operation. Netanyahu is expected to remain hospitalized for several days.
Netanyahu is among older world leaders including President Biden, 82, President-elect Donald Trump, 79, and Pope Francis, 88, who have come under scrutiny for their age and health issues. He has gone to great lengths to bolster his public image as a healthy, energetic leader. During his trial for alleged corruption this month, he boasted about working 18-hour days.
Such a grueling workload could take a toll on his well-being as he deals with multiple crises including the war in Gaza. However, Netanyahu insists he is in excellent health.
That image was shattered last year when it was revealed he had a heart condition. In July last year, doctors implanted a pacemaker after a medical scare.
Also last year, Netanyahu was rushed to the hospital for what doctors said was likely dehydration. He stayed overnight.
In March, Netanyahu underwent a hernia surgery, during which he was under full anesthesia and unconscious. Levin served as acting prime minister during that operation.
The procedure on Sunday came as Israel is the center of major global events that are shifting the Middle East.
Israel has been at war against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip for nearly 15 months after the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks in southern Israel that killed around 1,200 people and abducted some 250 others. Some 100 Israelis remain captive in Gaza and around a third are believed to be dead.
The war has killed more than 45,400 Palestinians and wounded more than 108,000 others according to the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry in Gaza. Its count does not distinguish between civilians and combatants.
Earlier this month, Netanyahu took the stand in his long-running trial for alleged corruption. This week, Israel's attorney general ordered police to open an investigation into Netanyahu's wife on suspicion of harassing political opponents and a witness in the corruption trial.
