Israeli hospital says Netanyahu has undergone successful prostate surgery

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu underwent successful surgery to remove his prostate on Sunday, hospital officials said, a procedure that came as he deals with multiple crises, including the war in Gaza and his trial for alleged corruption.

Netanyahu, who has had a series of health problems in recent years, has done his best to uphold a public image of himself as a healthy and energetic leader. During his trial this month, he bragged about working 18-hour days, accompanied by a cigar. But as Israel’s longest-serving leader, such a grueling workload over 17 years in power could take its toll on his well-being.

Netanyahu, 75, is among older world leaders, including US President Joe Biden, 82, President-elect Donald Trump, 78, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, 79, and the Pope Francis, 88, who were analyzed for their age and health problems.

Netanyahu’s latest condition is common in older men, but the procedure has had some consequences. Judges overseeing his trial on Sunday granted his lawyer’s request to cancel three days of testimony scheduled this week. The lawyer, Amit Hadad, said Netanyahu would be fully sedated for the procedure and hospitalized for “a number of days.”

Dr. Ofer Gofrit, head of the urology department at Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem, said in a video statement late Sunday that the procedure went well and “there was no fear” of cancer or malignancy. “We’re just hoping for the best,” he said.

In a statement, Netanyahu thanked his doctors. His office said he was “on full alert” and was taken to an underground recovery facility fortified against potential missile attacks. Netanyahu was expected to remain in the hospital for several days of observation.

Justice Minister Yariv Levin, a close ally, served as interim prime minister during the operation.

With so much at stake, Netanyahu’s wartime health is a concern for both Israelis and the world.

A troubled time in the region

As Israel’s leader, Netanyahu is at the center of major global events that are changing the Middle East. With the dizzying pace of the past 14 months, being incapacitated for even a few hours can be risky.

Netanyahu will be in hospital at a time when international mediators are pushing Israel and Hamas to reach a ceasefire in Gaza and as fighting between Israel and Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen intensifies.

Prostate problems are common and in many cases easy to treat. Still, the proceedings dent Netanyahu’s image of vigor at a time when he would like to project power more than ever, both to an Israeli public navigating constant threats and to Israel’s enemies who want to- and expose the weaknesses.

Previous health problems, including a heart condition

Netanyahu insists he is in excellent health. His office publishes images of him touring war zones, dressed in full protective gear, flanked by military officers, or meeting with defense officials on windswept hilltops in dark, downy shades.

But that image was shattered last year when Netanyahu’s doctors revealed he had a heart condition, a problem he had apparently known about for a long time but kept from the public.

A week after fainting, Netanyahu was fitted with a pacemaker to control his heartbeat. Only then did staff at the Sheba Medical Center reveal that Netanyahu had been dealing with a condition that can cause an irregular heartbeat for years.

The revelation came as Netanyahu was dealing with massive anti-government protests. News of a chronic heart problem fueled further anger and distrust amid extreme political polarization in Israel.

Last year, Netanyahu was rushed to hospital for what doctors said was likely dehydration. He stayed overnight, causing the weekly cabinet meeting to be postponed.

Earlier this year, Netanyahu underwent hernia surgery, during which he was under full anesthesia and unconscious. Levin served as acting prime minister during the operation.

Recovery can be quick

According to Netanyahu’s office, the Israeli leader was diagnosed on Wednesday with a urinary tract infection caused by a benign prostate enlargement. The infection was successfully treated with antibiotics, but doctors said surgery was necessary in any case.

Complications from prostate enlargement are common in men in their 70s and 80s, said Dr. Shay Golan, head of the urology oncology service at Israel’s Rabin Medical Center, to Israel 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 bladder emptying, leading to a build-up of urine that can lead to an infection or other complications. After drug treatment, doctors may recommend a procedure to remove the prostate to prevent future blockages, Golan said.

In Netanyahu’s case, because the prostate is not cancerous, Golan said doctors likely perform endoscopic surgery, performed by inserting small instruments into a body cavity, instead of making surgical cuts in the abdomen to reach the prostate.

The procedure takes about an hour, Golan said, and recovery is quick. He said that other than using the catheter for one to three days after the procedure, patients can return to normal activity without significant limitations.