Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu underwent prostate removal surgery on Sunday after he was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection resulting from a benign prostate enlargement.
Following the surgery, which lasted approximately two hours, Netanayhu was moved to the hospital's recovery room, Israeli media reported.
The operation took place in an underground facility at the Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem and required Netanyahu to undergo full anesthesia.
The prime minister is expected to remain hospitalized for several days, according to his attorney, Amit Hadad, who submitted a request Sunday to the Tel Aviv District Court to cancel his scheduled testimony this week in his ongoing corruption trial. The Attorney General's Office approved the request on Sunday.
Justice Minister Yariv Levin acted as caretaker prime minister while Netanyahu was incapacitated. Defense Minister Israel Katz served as chairman of the political-security cabinet.
The two took on the roles for just a few hours due to the short duration of the operation.
"These operations and surgeries are safe and simple, and very common, the chance of complications is very, very low. In a few days, the patient can return to full activity", Dr. Itay Sternberg, Chair of the Urological Oncology unit at HaEmek Medical Center of Clalit Health Services, told The Jerusalem Post.
"After the patient recovers from the operation and wakes up from the anesthesia, which can take about two hours, he returns to full activity, and there are no limitations. Meaning that the prime minister can function normally when it comes to decision-making after he wakes up from the anesthesia. And within two days, he can be released from the hospital, possibly even sooner," he added.
PMO statement announcing Netanyahu's surgery
"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."
Although Netanyahu's health issues began on Wednesday, no notifications of the Prime Minister's health have been issued until now.
Prime Minister will not appear in court as a result
Hadad added that he was requesting the hearing cancelation for this week but that he would “update the court going forward" as to Netanyahu's recovery.
Last year, Netanyahu, 75, was fitted with a pacemaker to control an irregular heartbeat. He was also hospitalized for dehydration. Earlier this year, Netanyahu underwent hernia surgery.