Israel Prime Minister, Netanyahu undergoes second surgery

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu according to a statement from his office took part in a second surgery operation under full anaesthesia following the detection of a hernia problem that was diagnosed on Saturday.

The 74-year-old leader was diagnosed during a routine examination on Saturday, March 30, with the surgery taking place soon after at the end of business on Sunday.

The surgery comes at a critical time as Israel is engaged in conflict with Hamas in Gaza following attacks on October 7. With Netanyahu temporarily incapacitated, Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Yariv Levin will assume his duties.

The operation coincides with ongoing talks between Israel and Hamas in Cairo, Egypt, aimed at securing the release of Israeli hostages and achieving a ceasefire. However, negotiations hit a deadlock last week.

This isn’t Netanyahu’s first medical procedure since returning to office in late 2022. Last year, he underwent surgery to address a transient heart block and was fitted with a pacemaker. Additionally, Netanyahu had a hernia surgery in 2013.