Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel underwent surgical procedure on Sunday evening to deal with a hernia, his workplace mentioned in an announcement.
Mr. Netanyahu’s workplace mentioned early Monday that the surgical procedure was profitable, and that the prime minister was recovering and speaking together with his household.
The operation got here as Mr. Netanyahu is underneath mounting worldwide stress to barter a cease-fire and finish the struggle in Gaza.
Mr. Netanyahu’s workplace mentioned on Sunday that he had been recognized with a hernia throughout a “routine examination” the earlier evening. The prime minister determined in session together with his docs to have the operation, his workplace mentioned in an announcement, including that the process would happen on Sunday night “underneath full anesthesia.”
“Justice Minister Yariv Levin will likely be briefly taking up his duties,” the assertion mentioned. Mr. Levin is a longtime stalwart within the prime minister’s Likud celebration.
Mr. Netanyahu — who additionally underwent surgical procedure for a hernia in 2013 — has come underneath rising criticism each on the world stage and at house over how Israel is prosecuting the struggle within the Gaza Strip. Key allies like the USA have criticized the excessive civilian demise toll and have made pressing requires Israel to permit extra help into the enclave.
In Israel, protesters have been demanding that Mr. Netanyahu prioritize the discharge of hostages held in Gaza and strike a deal for a cease-fire.
Mr. Netanyahu was additionally dealing with sharp criticism from his far-right coalition companions over any indication that he was hesitating within the struggle in opposition to Hamas or within the growth of Israeli settlements within the occupied West Financial institution.
Hours earlier than his scheduled surgical process, Mr. Netanyahu met in Jerusalem with households of troopers held captive in Gaza.
He additionally delivered a night information convention, wanting pale as he hit again at criticism that he had not accomplished sufficient to deliver the hostages house.
“I’ve accomplished all the pieces in my energy, and can proceed doing all the pieces, to safe their launch,” he mentioned, including that “those that say I don’t do sufficient to safe the discharge of our hostages are improper and deceptive.”
Taking questions for almost 20 minutes, Mr. Netanyahu additionally reiterated that Israeli forces would transfer into Rafah, the southern Gaza metropolis the place greater than 1,000,000 individuals have sought refuge. American officers have mentioned that invading Rafah would create a humanitarian catastrophe and that Israel will need to have an in depth plan to guard, shelter and feed the civilians there.
“We at the moment are engaged on addressing the query of evacuating the civilian inhabitants and offering humanitarian help,” Mr. Netanyahu mentioned. “That’s required and very important, and it is going to be accomplished.”
