Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Undergoes Successful Prostate Surgery and in Good Condition

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu underwent a successful prostate removal surgery on Sunday evening at Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem. The procedure lasted approximately two hours and was carried out under general anesthesia. The medical team described it as a success. Prof. Ofer Gofrit, Director of the Urology Department at Hadassah, confirmed that the surgery went as planned and that Netanyahu is in stable condition.

Prof. Gofrit assured the public that there was no suspicion of cancer or malignancy, stating, “Everything, thank God, went smoothly. It was a benign prostate that was removed, and we only hope for the best.” Netanyahu woke up from anesthesia and is fully conscious. His office confirmed that he is in good condition and recovering in a secure underground unit at the hospital.

Netanyahu's medical team included Prof. Ofer Gofrit, Prof. Mordechai Duvdevani, Dr. Stefan Ladot, and Dr. Ehud Gensin, all of whom received special mention from the Prime Minister's office for their care and professionalism. In a statement following the surgery, Netanyahu expressed his gratitude to the team: "I would like to thank the dedicated medical team for their excellent care."

 Expected to Remain in Hospital for Observation

The Prime Minister must remain in hospital observation for several days following the procedure. His office announced that Netanyahu’s recovery will be closely monitored, and he is not expected to resume full duties until he has fully recuperated. Justice Minister Yariv Levin served as acting Prime Minister during Netanyahu’s surgery, while Defense Minister Yisrael Katz convened the cabinet.

In a video posted on his Facebook before the surgery, Netanyahu thanked his supporters for their well-wishes, saying, "I thank everyone who sent me wishes for a speedy recovery. I intend to get through this."

Medical Background and Team of Surgeons

The surgery follows a series of medical examinations after Netanyahu was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection, which was linked to a benign enlargement of the prostate. The infection was treated with antibiotics, leading to a successful resolution of the issue. Prof. Ofer Gofrit, who previously operated on Netanyahu in 2017 to treat a bladder stone, was again chosen to lead the surgical team.

In addition to Prof. Gofrit, Dr. Ehud Gensin, a senior urologist from Assaf Harofeh Hospital, and Prof. Mordechai Duvdevani, Director of the Endourology Unit at Hadassah, were also part of the team. Dr. Stefan Ladot, Director of the Anesthesiology Department at Hadassah, administered anesthesia.

Family Update

In a rare departure from previous procedures, Sara Netanyahu, the Prime Minister’s wife, was not present during the surgery. She had flown to Miami on November 27 for an extended stay and had planned to return in mid-December. However, sources indicate that she has extended her stay in the U.S. and is expected to return to Israel later this week. It is unclear whether Netanyahu will delay his return to official duties due to his recovery.

This is the first time Netanyahu has undergone surgery since he was elected Prime Minister, and it marks a significant moment in his medical history. His office has assured the public that while he will remain in the hospital for several days, his medical team is confident in his recovery.

Ongoing Health Monitoring

The Prime Minister's office emphasized that Netanyahu will continue to be closely monitored in the coming days, and his full recovery will guide the timing of his return to work. Meanwhile, the country remains under the leadership of Justice Minister Yariv Levin, who continues in his role as Acting Prime Minister until Netanyahu is cleared for full duties.