Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu His office said Sunday that he had his prostate removed, a procedure that comes as he manages multiple crises at once, including the ongoing war in Gaza and his own for alleged corruption. The case is also included.
Netanyahu, 75, is among older world leaders, including U.S. President Joe Biden, 82, and President-elect Donald Trump, 78, whose health and physical fitness are declining both inside and outside due to their advancing age. The country is under intense scrutiny. Which can affect their leadership.
Netanyahu, who has struggled with 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, even if those long hours were with cigars. But as Of Israel The longest-serving leader, with a total of 17 years in power, such a heavy workload can also take a toll on his health.
The procedure has already paid off: Netanyahu's lawyer, Amit Haddad, said in a letter to the court that the Israeli prime minister would be completely unconscious from the procedure and would need to be hospitalized for “several days.” will be admitted, asking that his three days' testimony be. Saturday should be cancelled. The court agreed.
Justice Minister Yario Levin, a close Netanyahu ally, will serve as acting prime minister during the process, Netanyahu's office said.
With so much at stake in the tumultuous region, Netanyahu's wartime health is a concern for both Israelis and the wider world.
Prostate problems are common for older men, and recovery can be quick.
The Israeli leader was diagnosed Wednesday with a urinary tract infection stemming from an enlarged prostate, according to Netanyahu's office. The infection was successfully treated with antibiotics but a procedure on Sunday will remove his prostate.
Complications of prostate enlargement are common in men in their 70s and 80s, Dr. Shei Golan, head of the oncology urology service at Israel's Rabin Medical Center, told Israel Army Radio. Gulen spoke in general terms about the procedure and was not involved in Netanyahu's care or treatment.
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An enlarged prostate can prevent the bladder from emptying properly, causing urine to accumulate, which can then lead to infection or other complications, he said. After drug treatment, doctors may recommend a procedure to remove the prostate to prevent future blockages, Golan said.
In Netanyahu's case, because the prostate is not cancerous, Golan said doctors will likely perform an endoscopic surgery, which involves inserting small instruments into the body cavity, rather than making a surgical incision in the abdomen to access the prostate. goes
The procedure lasts about an hour, Golan said, and recovery is quick. Golan also said that patients can return to normal activity without significant restrictions, except for the use of a catheter for one to three days after the procedure.
Netanyahu has had some health problems in the past, including heart disease.
Netanyahu insists he is in excellent health and his office has worked to create a public image that supports that. It releases footage of him visiting war zones in full protective gear flanked by hardened military officers, or meeting with defense officials on windswept hilltops in youthful dark shades and puffer jackets.
But that image was shattered last year when Netanyahu's doctors revealed he had a heart condition, a problem he had apparently known about for a long time but had hidden from the public.
A week after fainting, Netanyahu was immediately implanted with a pacemaker to control his heartbeat. That's when staff at the Sheba Medical Center revealed that Netanyahu had been suffering from a condition that could cause an irregular heartbeat for years.
The revelation came at a time when Netanyahu was dealing with massive anti-government protests. At a time of extreme political polarization in Israel, news of chronic heart problems fueled further anger and mistrust.
Last year, Netanyahu was taken to hospital for what doctors said was likely dehydration, where he stayed overnight, delaying his weekly cabinet meeting.
Earlier this year, Netanyahu underwent hernia surgery during which he was under general anesthesia and was unconscious. His close confidant, Justice Minister Yariv Levin, served as acting prime minister during the operation.
The surgery comes at a tumultuous time in the region.
As Israel's leader, Netanyahu is at the center of major global events that are changing the Middle East. With the rapid pace of the past 14 months, being disabled for even a few hours could be dangerous in the current regional crisis.
Netanyahu will be in the hospital at a time when international mediators are pressing Israel and Hamas for a cease-fire in Gaza as violence continues and fighting between Israel and Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels escalates. is going
The health issue also sheds new light on Netanyahu's age. Prostate problems are common and in many cases easily treatable. But they are especially prominent in older men.
The approach undermines Netanyahu's image of strength at a time when he may want to project more force than ever, both to an Israeli audience that continues to threaten Israel, and to Israel's enemies, who have Want to expose the weaknesses of
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