Benjamin Netanyahu undergoes a prostatectomy and faces crises on multiple fronts – national

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

Netanyahu, 75, is among a group of older world leaders, including US President Joe Biden, 82, and President-elect Donald Trump, 78, whose health and fitness are under intense scrutiny both at home and abroad due to their progress in… Their age and health condition. And the impact it can have on their leadership.

Netanyahu, who has had a series of health problems in recent years, has gone to great lengths to bolster his public image as a healthy and energetic leader. During his trial this month, he bragged about working 18 hours a day, even if those long hours were accompanied by a cigar. But as Israel’s longest-serving leader, such a burdensome burden over 17 years in power could also take a toll on his well-being.

The procedure has already had repercussions: Netanyahu’s lawyer, Amit Haddad, said in a letter to the court that the Israeli prime minister will be fully anesthetized for the procedure and hospitalized “for several days,” requesting that his testimony be limited to three days this week. The week will be cancelled. The court agreed.

Netanyahu’s office said Justice Minister Yariv Levin, a close ally of Netanyahu, will serve as acting prime minister during the proceedings.

With so much at stake in the volatile region, Netanyahu’s wartime health is a concern for both Israelis and the wider world.

Prostate problems are common in older men, and recovery can be quick.

According to Netanyahu’s office, the Israeli leader was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection on Wednesday caused by a benign enlargement of the prostate. The infection was successfully treated with antibiotics but the procedure to be performed on Sunday will remove the prostate.

Complications of enlarged prostate are common in men in their 70s and 80s, Dr. Shai Golan, head of the urological oncology service at Israel’s Rabin Medical Center, told Israel Army Radio. Golan spoke in general terms about the procedure and was not involved in Netanyahu’s care or treatment.

An enlarged prostate can prevent the bladder from emptying properly, leading to a buildup of urine that can then lead to infection or other complications, he said. After medical treatment, doctors can recommend a prostate removal procedure to prevent blockages in the future, Golan said.

In Netanyahu’s case, because the prostate is not cancerous, Golan said doctors would likely perform laparoscopic surgery, which is performed by inserting small instruments into the body cavity, rather than making any surgical cuts in the abdomen to access the prostate.

The procedure lasts about an hour, and recovery is quick, Golan said. Golan also said that in addition to using a catheter for one to three days after the procedure, patients can return to normal activity without any major restrictions.

Netanyahu had suffered from some health problems before, including heart disease

Netanyahu insists that he is in excellent health and that his office has worked to craft a public image that supports this. He posts footage of himself touring war zones in full protective gear surrounded by rugged military officers, or meeting with defense officials on windswept hilltops in dark youthful shades and puffy jackets.

But that image was shattered last year when Netanyahu’s doctors revealed that 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 the fainting episode, Netanyahu was urgently fitted with a pacemaker to control his heartbeat. Only then did staff at Sheba Medical Center reveal that Netanyahu had been suffering for years from a condition that can cause an irregular heartbeat.

This revelation came at a time when Netanyahu was dealing with massive anti-government protests. News of a chronic heart problem sparked further anger and distrust at a time of intense political polarization in Israel.

Last year, Netanyahu was hospitalized with what doctors said was likely dehydration, where he stayed overnight, forcing the postponement of the weekly Cabinet meeting.

Earlier this year, Netanyahu underwent hernia surgery, during which he was under general anesthesia and unconscious. His close friend, Justice Minister Yariv Levin, served as acting prime minister during the operation.

The surgery comes at a turbulent time in the region

As Israel’s leader, Netanyahu is at the center of major global events changing the Middle East. Given the dizzying pace of the past fourteen months, even a few hours of deficit could pose a risk in the current regional storm.

Netanyahu will be in the hospital at a time when international mediators are pressuring Israel and Hamas to reach a ceasefire in Gaza as violence intensifies there and fighting escalates between Israel and the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.

The health issue also sheds new light on Netanyahu’s age. Prostate problems are common and in many cases easily treatable. But it is especially prominent among older men.

This action weakens Netanyahu’s activist image at a time when he wants to project strength more than ever, both to the Israeli public navigating constant threats as well as to Israel’s enemies looking to expose Israel’s weaknesses.

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