TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu underwent successful surgery to remove his prostate on Sunday, hospital officials announced. war in gaza and his Trial on corruption charges.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has suffered a series of health problems in recent years, but has made great efforts to improve his public image as a healthy and energetic leader. During his trial this month, he boasted about working 18-hour days while smoking cigars. But as Israel’s longest-serving leader, such a demanding job over a total of 17 years in power could take a toll on his health.
At 75 years old, Prime Minister Netanyahu is among the oldest world leaders: US President Joe Biden, 82 years old, President-elect Donald Trump, 78 years oldPresident of Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva79, and pope francis88, have come under scrutiny for their age and health issues.
Netanyahu’s recent symptoms are common among older men, but the surgery had some consequences. The judge overseeing his trial on Sunday accepted his lawyers’ request to halt three days of testimony scheduled for this week. His lawyer, Amit Haddad, had argued that Netanyahu would be fully sedated for the surgery and would remain in hospital for “several days”.
Dr. Ofer Gofrit, director of urology at Jerusalem’s Hadassah Medical Center, said in a video statement late Sunday that the surgery went well and there were “no fears” of cancer or malignancy. “We just hope for the best outcome,” he said.
Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed his gratitude to the doctors in a statement. His office said he was “fully alert” and was taken to a reinforced underground recovery unit in case of a potential missile attack. Prime Minister Netanyahu was scheduled to be hospitalized for observation for several days.
Justice Minister Yariv Levin, a close ally, served as acting prime minister during the operation.
With so many crises at stake, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s wartime health is a matter of concern for the Israeli people and the world at large.
Turbulent times for this region
As Israel’s leader, Prime Minister Netanyahu is at the center of major world events, including: change the middle east. Given the dizzying pace of the past 14 months, being incapacitated for even a few hours can be dangerous.
Prime Minister Netanyahu was admitted to the hospital while an international mediator was trying to bring Israel and Hamas closer together. Ceasefire in Gaza and as Fighting between Israel and Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels intensifies.
Prostate problems are common and often easily treated. Still, this is a time when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants to project more strength than ever before, both to an Israeli audience under constant threat and to enemies seeking to expose Israel’s weaknesses. At a time when the process would tarnish Prime Minister Netanyahu’s energetic image.
Previous health problems such as heart disease
Prime Minister Netanyahu maintains that he is in good health. His office shows him patrolling war zones in full protective gear, surrounded by military officers, and defense officials in youthful dark colors and down jackets on a windswept hill. A video of the meeting with them has been released.
But that image was shattered last year when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s doctors revealed that: he had heart diseaseit seems that this issue was known to him for a long time, but was hidden from the public.
A week after the fainting episode, Netanyahu was fitted with a pacemaker to control his heartbeat. Only then did staff at the Sheba Medical Center reveal that Netanyahu had long suffered from a condition that could cause an arrhythmia.
The revelations come as Prime Minister Netanyahu grapples with large-scale anti-government protests. At a time of extreme political polarization in Israel, news of the chronic heart disease has sparked further anger and distrust.
Last year, Prime Minister Netanyahu was rushed to hospital after doctors said It was probably dehydration.. He stayed overnight, causing the weekly cabinet meeting to be postponed.
Earlier this year, Prime Minister Netanyahu I had hernia surgeryDuring this time, he was under full anesthesia and was unconscious. Levin served as acting prime minister during the operation.
recovery may be faster
The Israeli leader was diagnosed on Wednesday with a urinary tract infection caused by a benign enlargement of the prostate, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office said. The infections were successfully treated with antibiotics, but doctors said surgery was required in each case.
Complications from enlarged prostates are more common in men in their 70s and 80s, Dr. Shay Golan, chief of oncology and urology at Israel’s Rabin Medical Center, told Israel Army Radio. Golan spoke in general terms and was not involved in Netanyahu’s care or treatment.
He said an enlarged prostate prevents the bladder from emptying properly, which can cause urine to accumulate and cause infections and other complications. After drug treatment, doctors can recommend a procedure to remove the prostate gland to prevent future blockages, Golan said.
In Netanyahu’s case, his prostate is not cancerous, so doctors likely performed an endoscopic procedure to reach it by inserting a small instrument into a body cavity rather than making an incision in his abdomen, Golan said. he said.
Golan said the surgery took about an hour and recovery was quick. He said patients can return to normal activities without major restrictions, except for catheter use for one to three days after surgery.
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AP correspondent Isaac Scharf contributed reporting.
