Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to undergo prostate surgery

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to undergo surgery on December 29 to remove his prostate following a diagnosis of a urinary tract infection earlier this week, his office confirmed in a statement on December 28. 

The 75-year-old leader was examined at Hadassah Hospital on December 25 and diagnosed with the infection, which was caused by a benign enlargement of his prostate. He has been receiving treatment with antibiotics for several days, according to the statement, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

This health complication follows a series of medical issues for Netanyahu. Earlier in March, he underwent surgery for a hernia while facing international criticism over Israel’s handling of the war in Gaza. In 2023, Netanyahu was also hospitalized after fainting, prompting doctors to fit him with a pacemaker due to heart irregularities. He had previously undergone hernia surgery in 2013.

The news of Netanyahu’s surgery comes amid heightened tensions in Israel’s security situation. This week, Israel launched a series of airstrikes against targets in Yemen controlled by the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, in retaliation for missile attacks on Israeli territory. Despite these strikes, the Houthis have continued firing rockets at Israel.

Israel is currently engaged in multiple conflicts, including its ongoing war with Hamas in Gaza, clashes with Hezbollah in Lebanon, and strikes in Syria. Additionally, Netanyahu continues to testify in his ongoing corruption trial, where he faces charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, accusations that have sparked political unrest and division among the Israeli public.

By Vugar Khalilov