Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Announces Surprise Major Surgery

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has undergone a surprise major surgery, resulting in the removal of his prostate.

The news was announced on Saturday and came without warning:

Israeli PM Netanyahu will undergo surgery to have his prostate removed after diagnosis of benign prostate enlargementhttps://t.co/PAiZ4D1jU3

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— Sky News (@SkyNews) December 28, 2024

The surgery has already been declared a success, but he is expected to remain in the hospital for several days as he recovers:

BREAKING: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has undergone successful prostate surgery but is expected to stay in hospital for several days.https://t.co/Z9JAcnFydf

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His surgeons announced the good news and gave details from the surgery here:

Yesterday Bibi Netanyahu had prostate surgery and today the doctors who performed the said:

"Thank God everything went smoothly. There is no suspicion of malignancy or cancer"

Baruch HaShem!!

May he have many more strong years! pic.twitter.com/5bbotneBzo

— Documenting Israel (@DocumentIsrael) December 30, 2024

Here are more details, from the AP:

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

Netanyahu, who has had a series of health issues in recent years, has gone to great lengths to bolster a public image of himself as a healthy, energetic leader. During his trial this month, he boasted about working 18-hour days, accompanied by a cigar. But as Israel’s longest-serving leader, such a grueling workload over a total of 17 years in power could take a toll on his well-being.

Netanyahu, 75, is among older world leaders including U.S. President Joe Biden, 82, President-elect Donald Trump, 78, Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, 79, and Pope Francis, 88, who have come under scrutiny for their age and health issues.

Netanyahu’s latest condition is common in older men, but the procedure has had some fallout. The judges overseeing his trial accepted a request from his lawyer on Sunday to call off three days of testimony scheduled this week. The lawyer, Amit Hadad, had argued that Netanyahu would be fully sedated for the procedure and hospitalized for “a number of days.”

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

In a statement, Netanyahu thanked his doctors. His office said he was “fully alert” and was taken to an underground recovery unit 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 acting prime minister during the operation.

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

If this whole ordeal sounds familiar, it’s because Netanyahu had a similar surprise surgery back in March.

Benjamin Netanyahu To Undergo Emergency Surgery, Deputy PM Will Assume Command

Benjamin Netanyahu To Undergo Emergency Surgery, Deputy PM Will Assume Command

This just in: Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu will be undergoing emergency surgery tonight.

Saturday evening, he was diagnosed with a severe hernia during a health check-up.

The procedure to remove it will require 74-year-old Netanyahu to go under full anesthesia.

In his absence, deputy PM and minister of justice Yariv Levin will be filling in.

Take a look at the breaking news:

BREAKING: Benjamin Netanyahu has been diagnosed with a severe hernia, and he will undergo emergency surgery tonight under full anesthesia; his deputy will take his duties. pic.twitter.com/WS9Spr9oNZ

— The General (@GeneralMCNews) March 31, 2024

BREAKING: BENJAMIN NETANYAHU TO UNDERGO SURGERY TONIGHT

Netanyahu is set for hernia surgery under full anesthesia after a routine checkup revealed the condition.

Deputy Prime Minister Yariv Levin will assume his duties in his absence. pic.twitter.com/pL7mVFJKcF

— Sulaiman Ahmed (@ShaykhSulaiman) March 31, 2024

NBC News has more details on the emergency procedure:

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office says the Israeli leader will undergo surgery on Sunday for a hernia.

Netanyahu’s office said the hernia was discovered during a routine checkup, and that the prime minister will be under full anesthesia and unconscious for the procedure.

In a news briefing Sunday, Netanyahu took the time to thank people who checked in on him following his diagnosis.

"I promise you that I will go through this treatment successfully and will be back in action very quickly," he said.

Fox News also reported:

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was diagnosed with a hernia and will undergo surgery Sunday night, the prime minister’s office said.

The hernia was diagnosed during a routine checkup Saturday night, Netanyahu's office revealed. After Netanyahu consulted with his doctors, it was decided the best way forward was to surgically repair the hernia at a hospital Sunday night.

The operation will be performed under full anesthesia, and Netanyahu will be unconscious during the procedure, the office said. During this time, Yariv Levin, deputy prime minister and minister of justice, will be the acting prime minister of Israel.

No further details about Netanyahu’s diagnosis were immediately provided.