Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is undergoing successful prostate surgery, the hospital said

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu underwent successful surgery to remove his prostate, hospital officials said Sunday.

The 75-year-old leader, who has had a series of health problems in recent years, was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection due to an enlarged prostate, his office said.

Jerusalem’s Hadassah Medical Center announced last Sunday that the procedure was “successfully completed.” Justice Minister Yariv Levin, a close ally, served as acting prime minister during the process. Netanyahu is expected to be hospitalized for several days.

Netanyahu is among the world’s aging leaders, including President Biden, 82, President-elect Donald Trump, 79, and Pope Francis, 88, who are facing age and health problems. He did everything he could to strengthen his reputation in the community as a healthy and energetic leader. During his corruption trial this month, he boasted of working 18-hour days.

Such a difficult job may affect his well-being as he is dealing with many problems including the war in Gaza. However, Netanyahu insists that he is in excellent health.

The image disappeared last year when it was revealed that he had a heart attack. In July last year, the doctors put in a pacemaker after the doctors were scared.

Even last year, Netanyahu was rushed to the hospital for what doctors said might be dehydration. He stayed all night.

In March, Netanyahu underwent hernia surgery, while under general anesthesia and unconscious. Levin served as acting prime minister at the time.

The process on Sunday came as Israel is at the center of major global events that are changing the Middle East.

Israel has been at war with Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip almost 15 months after the October 7, 2023 attack in southern Israel that killed around 1,200 people and captured around 250 others. Another 100 Israelis are still being held captive in Gaza and about a third are believed to be dead.

The war has killed more than 45,400 Palestinians and injured more than 108,000 others, according to the Hamas-controlled Ministry of Health in Gaza. Its number does not distinguish between civilians and soldiers.

Earlier this month, Netanyahu took office a case that has been going on for some time due to allegations of corruption. This week, Israel’s attorney general ordered the police to open an investigation into Netanyahu’s wife for allegedly torturing political opponents and witnesses in a corruption case.

contributed to this report.