Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu underwent successful surgery on Sunday to remove his prostate, hospital officials said, a procedure that comes as he manages a series of crises including the war in Gaza and an alleged corruption trial.
Netanyahu, who has suffered a number of health problems in recent years, has made great efforts to reinforce his public image as a healthy, energetic leader. During his trial this month, he claimed to have worked 18-hour days with cigars. But as Israel’s longest-serving leader, such a grueling workload totaling 17 years in power could take a toll on his well-being.
Netanyahu, 75, is among the world’s older leaders, including US President Joe Biden, 82, President-elect Donald Trump, 78, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, 79, and Pope Francis, 88, who are under scrutiny because of their age. Have come within the scope. health issues.
Netanyahu’s latest condition is common in older men, but the procedure has had few consequences. The judges overseeing his trial on Sunday granted his lawyer’s request that three days of testimony scheduled this week be canceled. The lawyer, Amit Haddad, had argued that Netanyahu would be completely sedated for the procedure and hospitalized for “several days”.
Jerusalem’s Hadassah Medical Center announced late Sunday that the procedure was “successfully completed.” Justice Minister Yariv Levin, a close ally, served as acting prime minister during the operation. Netanyahu is expected to remain hospitalized for several days.
Despite so much at stake, Netanyahu’s health during wartime is a matter of concern for both Israelis and the wider world.
turbulent times in the region
As Israel’s leader, Netanyahu is at the center of major global events that are shifting the Middle East. With the rapid pace of the last 14 months, being incapacitated even for a few hours could be risky.
Netanyahu will be in the hospital at a time when international mediators are pressing Israel and Hamas for a ceasefire in Gaza and fighting has intensified between Israel and Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
Prostate problems are common and in many cases can be easily treated. Still, the process harms Netanyahu’s energetic image at a time when he wants more than ever to project strength to an Israeli audience grappling with persistent threats, as well as to Israel’s enemies seeking to expose its weaknesses. Are.
Previous health problems including heart disease
Netanyahu insisted that he was in excellent health. His office released footage of him visiting combat zones in full protective gear, or of young men in dark shades and puffer jackets meeting with defense officials on wind-swept mountain peaks.
But that image was shattered last year when Netanyahu’s doctors revealed he had heart disease, a problem he apparently long knew about but hid from the public.
A week after fainting, Netanyahu was fitted with a pacemaker to control his heartbeat. That’s when staff at Sheba Medical Center revealed that Netanyahu had been experiencing for years a condition that can cause an irregular heartbeat.
The revelation came as Netanyahu was dealing with massive anti-government protests. The news of the chronic heart problem further increased anger and distrust at a time of extreme political polarization in Israel.
Last year, Netanyahu was taken to the hospital with what doctors said was possible dehydration. He stayed overnight, delaying his weekly cabinet meeting.
Earlier this year, Netanyahu had hernia surgery, during which he was under full anesthesia and unconscious. Levin served as acting prime minister during the operation.
Recovery can be quick
The Israeli leader was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection on Wednesday due to a benign growth in his prostate, according to Netanyahu’s office. The infection was successfully treated with antibiotics, but doctors said surgery was needed in any case.
Complications of prostate enlargement are common in men in their 70s and 80s, Dr. Shay Golan, head of the oncology urology service at Israel’s Rabin Medical Center, told Israeli Army Radio. Golan spoke in general terms and was not involved in Netanyahu’s care or treatment.
He said an enlarged prostate can block proper emptying of the bladder, leading to accumulation of urine that can lead to infection or other complications. After medicinal treatment, doctors may recommend a procedure to remove the prostate to prevent future blockages, Golan said.
In Netanyahu’s case, because there is no prostate cancer, Golan said doctors were likely performing endoscopic surgery, which is performed by inserting small instruments into the body cavity, rather than making a surgical cut in the abdomen to access the prostate.
The procedure lasts about an hour and recovery is quick, Golan said. He said that apart from the use of a catheter for one to three days after the procedure, patients can return to normal activity without any significant limitations.