Netanyahu to remove prostate after diagnosis of benign enlargement

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will have his prostate removed on Sunday, his office said, a procedure that comes as he manages multiple crises at once, including the ongoing war in Gaza and his own trial for alleged corruption.

Netanyahu, 75, is among a cohort of older world leaders, including the US President Joe Biden82, and President-elect Donald Trump, 78, whose health and fitness are under intense scrutiny both at home and abroad because of their advanced age and the effect it could have on their leadership.

The Israeli prime minister, who has had a series of health problems in recent years, has gone to great lengths to bolster his public image as a healthy, energetic leader. During his trial this month, he bragged about working 18-hour days.

But as Israel’s longest-serving leader, such a grueling workload for a total of 17 years in power can also take its toll.

Because of the prostration procedure, Netanyahu’s lawyer, Amit Haddad, said in a letter to the court that the Israeli prime minister would be fully sedated and hospitalized for “several days,” asking that his three days of testimony this week be canceled. The court agreed.

Because the stakes are so high in the turbulent region, Netanyahu’s office said Justice Minister Yariv Levin, a close ally, would serve as prime minister during the proceedings.

According to Netanyahu’s office, the Israeli leader was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection on Wednesday stemming from a benign enlargement of his prostate. The infection was successfully treated with antibiotics, but Sunday’s procedure will remove his prostate, possibly through endoscopic surgery, Dr. Shay Golan, head of the urology oncology service at Israel’s Rabin Medical Center, told Israel Army Radio.

Netanyahu insists he is in excellent health and his office has worked to craft a public image to back it up – posting footage of him walking around war zones in full protective gear.

But he has had several health problems before, including a heart condition that led to fainting and a pacemaker to control his heart rhythm.

This news in July 2023. it came at a time when Netanyahu was dealing with massive anti-government protests because of a plan to reform the judicial system. Also last year, he was rushed to hospital for what doctors said was likely dehydration, where he stayed overnight, causing his weekly cabinet meeting to be postponed.

Earlier this year, Netanyahu underwent hernia surgery, during which he was under general anesthesia and unconscious. At the time, Levin, his minister of justice, was acting prime minister during the operation.

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