Netanyahu will perform a hernia operation under full anesthesia, and the Deputy Prime Minister will intervene temporarily

CNN
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Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem announced on Sunday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's health is “excellent” after undergoing surgery to treat a hernia.

Alon Pekarsky, director of general surgery at the hospital, said in an early morning video statement that the operation “ended successfully” and Netanyahu “is awake, talking to his family, and his condition is perfect.”

His office said in a previous statement that Netanyahu, 74, was diagnosed with a hernia during a routine examination on Saturday. He was placed under anesthesia for the procedure, his office said.

The surgery means the Israeli leader has been temporarily out of action with the country, which is at war with Hamas in Gaza in the wake of the October 7 attacks. Israeli Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Yariv Levin stepped in for Netanyahu when he was incapacitated.

In a press conference held Sunday in Jerusalem before the surgery, Netanyahu said he was optimistic about the results of the operation and that he would return to work “very quickly.”

“I assure you that I will pass this treatment successfully and I will return to playing very quickly,” Netanyahu said.

The operation came amid renewed talks between Israel and Hamas in Cairo. According to what was reported by Egyptian media.

Negotiations are underway to secure the release of the remaining Israeli hostages held by the armed movement in exchange for a ceasefire in the conflict that has seen the deaths of more than 32,000 Gazans. I reached a dead end last week.

This is Netanyahu's second surgical operation since his return to the premiership in late 2022. Health fear last summer The Israeli leader ended up being fitted with a pacemaker to repair a transient heart blockage.

Netanyahu previously suffered from a hernia In the year 2013 Which also requires surgery.

A hernia is a gap in the muscular wall of the abdomen that allows something inside the abdomen to protrude outside. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine.