Netanyahu to be placed in underground hospital after surgery amid fears of rocket attacks

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be placed in a fortified underground hospital to protect him from potential rocket attacks after undergoing prostate surgery.

Earlier on Sunday, the Israeli Premier undertook surgery to remove his prostate at the Hadassah Medical Centre in Jerusalem.

His office said in a statement that Netanyahu was later moved to an underground, fortified recovery ward for his own safety.

On Saturday, Israeli forces intercepted two rockets from Gaza’s Beit Hanoun area – a rare occurrence after nearly 15 months of war.

Long-range rockets from Gaza have become increasingly rare in the last year, given the toll Israel’s military campaign has had on Hamas’ ability to attack Israel. 

“The surgery ended successfully without complications,” the prime minister’s office said. “The prime minister has woken up, is in good condition and is completely conscious.”

Netanyahu will now remain in the fortified recovery ward underground for a few days due to fears for his life.

The prime minister was under full anaesthesia for the procedure, which his office said was scheduled after doctors discovered an infection in his urinary tract resulting from a benign enlargement of the prostate.

Hadassah Medical Centre’s head of urology, Professor Ofer Gofrit, said the procedure “went as planned” with no complications. 

Israeli media reported that Justice Minister Yariv Levin would temporarily serve as acting prime minister during the procedure. Defence Minister Israel Katz was authorised to convene the security cabinet if needed.

Netanyahu has gone to great lengths to demonstrate to the Israeli public that he is healthy enough to lead Israel. But over the last few years, the 75-year-old premier has developed health complications. Last year, doctors fitted him with a pacemaker after he suffered a “transient heart block”.

His surgery coincides with an ongoing trial against him where an Israeli court charged him with several counts of fraud.

Netanyahu’s defence lawyer requested that the Jerusalem District Court cancel the hearings at which the premier was expected to give testimony.

The court accepted his request and said the hearings would resume on Monday, 6 January.