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By Rachel Dobkin
Weekend Reporter
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, 75, had his prostate removed on Sunday.
Netanyahu's surgery was successful, and there were no complications, his office said in a Sunday statement obtained by Newsweek.
"The Prime Minister has awakened from the anesthesia, is in good condition and is fully conscious. He has been transferred to the underground, protected recovery unit. He is expected to remain in the hospital for observation in the coming days," his office said.
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Why It Matters
Whenever a head of state undergoes medical treatment, especially one that requires anesthesia, it can leave that country vulnerable to its enemies. For Israel, their leader being incapacitated can be even more dangerous given that they are currently at war against Hamas, a Palestinian militant group, in Gaza and the broader conflict between Israel and Iran and its proxies in the Middle East.
However, Israel is not without leadership during Netanyahu's surgery. Justice Minister Yariv Levin is serving as acting prime minister and Defense Minister Israel Katz is heading the Cabinet, according to Haaretz, an Israeli newspaper.
What To Know
The Times of Israel reported at around 8 p.m. local time on Sunday that Netanyahu had undergone surgery at Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital, citing Hebrew media reports.
The hospital confirmed, according to the Associated Press (AP), that Netanyahu's prostate was removed late Sunday.
The prime minister needed the surgery after he was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection from a benign prostate enlargement, Reuters reported Saturday, citing his office.
According to Haaretz, Netanyahu received treatment for an enlarged prostate over a decade ago in the summer of 2014. Unlike Sunday's surgery, his 2014 procedure was kept secret until Israeli Channel 12 reported on it in June 2015.
Netanyahu has had other health issues in the past, including just this past March when he had hernia surgery, which followed a previous hernia surgery in 2013. Last year, Netanyahu was fitted with a pacemaker after a heart irregularity was detected.
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What People Are Saying
Dr. Shay Golan, head of the oncology urology service at Israel's Rabin Medical Center, told Israeli Army Radio, speaking in general terms, that prostate enlargement complications are usual in men in their 70s and 80s, the AP reported.
He said, according to the AP, that an enlarged prostate can block the bladder from properly emptying. This urine build-up can cause an infection or other complications, Golan said, adding that removing the prostate can prevent these blockages from happening.
Golan is not involved in the medical care or treatment of the prime minister.
What Happens Next
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, it is recommended not to perform strenuous activity or heavy lifting for at least one month after a prostatectomy. Most patients don't go to work for three to four weeks after their surgery, Johns Hopkins says.
Meanwhile, the prime minister's ongoing corruption trial will be delayed because of his surgery. Netanyahu's lawyer requested on Sunday that three days of testimony scheduled for this upcoming week be canceled, which the trial judges accepted.
Netanyahu was indicted in 2019 on charges of fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes. Netanyahu has denied all charges, claiming to be the victim of a "witch hunt."
Update 12/29/24, 4:19 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Update 12/29/24, 4:41 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
Update 1/3/25, 6:20 p.m. ET: This article was updated with comment from Netanyahu's office.
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