Israeli PM Netanyahu to undergo prostate removal operation, as his court testimony is delayed

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will undergo surgery on Sunday to remove his prostate following a diagnosis of a urinary tract infection resulting from a benign prostate enlargement, his office announced on Saturday.

The prime minister is expected to be under full anesthesia during the surgery and remain hospitalized for several days at Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem, where the operation is set to take place, according to his attorney. 

That same attorney, Amit Hadad, received approval on Sunday from the Attorney General’s Office to cancel Netanyahu’s scheduled testimony this week in his ongoing corruption trial. 

Justice Minister Yariv Levin will serve as caretaker prime minister while Netanyahu is incapacitated, according to The Jerusalem Post. Defense Minister Israel Katz will chair the political-security cabinet. 

"On Wednesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu underwent an examination at Hadassah Hospital, where a urinary tract infection caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia was detected. Over the past few days, the prime minister has received antibiotic treatment, which successfully eradicated the infection," the Prime Minister's office announced on Saturday.

“Consequently, the prime minister will undergo a procedure tomorrow to remove the prostate. Full details will be provided later,” the statement said. "Despite this, Sunday's cabinet meeting will take place as planned."

Besides dealing with war on several fronts from Iran-backed proxies and terrorist groups, as well as Iran itself, since the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack by Hamas, Netanyahu has dealt with several health issues. 

In 2023, the 75-year-old was fitted with a pacemaker for an irregular heartbeat and was also hospitalized for dehydration. Earlier this year, Netanyahu underwent hernia surgery.