°®Âþµº

Israel's Netanyahu to undergo prostate surgery in 'underground facility'

Israeli media reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will undergo surgery on Sunday in an underground hospital facility.
2 min read
29 December, 2024
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes in Gaza [Getty]

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes in Gaza, is having his prostate removed on Sunday in an underground hospital facility, Israeli media reported.

Netanyahu, 75,Ìýunderwent a test at Hadassah Hospital on Wednesday, where he was "diagnosed with a urinary tract infection resulting from a benign prostate enlargement," his office said in a statement on Saturday.

"As a result, the prime minister will undergo prostate removal surgery tomorrow," the statement added.

Israeli media reported that he would undergo surgery at theÌýHadassah Hospital in a "fully protected" underground facility, prepared for the possibility of rocket fire during the procedure, particularly after recent rocket attacks launched by Yemen's Houthis on Israel.Ìý

The surgery comes as Netanyahu faces multiple simultaneous crises, including the war on Gaza, accusations by some Israelis that he is not doing enough to secure a ceasefire and hostage release deal, and his ongoing domestic corruption trial.

Netanyahu's lawyer, Amit Hadad, informed the court that the prime minister would be sedated and hospitalised for several days, prompting the cancellation of his scheduled testimony, according to AP.

An acting prime minister will take over for Netanyahu during the procedure, AP reported without naming who would assume the role.

The corruption trial has been taking place at the Jerusalem District Court but Netanyahu had been testifying in an underground bunker at the Tel Aviv District Court. He has rarely attended hearings in person since the trial began in 2020.

In March, he underwentÌýa hernia surgery, while in July last year, doctors implanted a pacemaker in him.

Earlier this year,Ìýhe was issued with an arrest warrant by the ICC, accusing him of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Israel's war on the besieged Gaza Strip, where over 45,500 people - mostly civilians - were killed since 7 October 2023.

The warrant specifically addressed the use of disproportionate force on densely populated civilian areas, the targeting of medical facilities, and the use of collective punishment against Palestinians.

Ìý