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Benjamin Netanyahu: Surgery successful, patient well
Photo: Abir Sultan / EPA
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has undergone successful surgery. Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem said he was conscious again and was talking to family members. It initially remained unclear how long his convalescence would take. The Jerusalem Post newspaper reports, citing the prime minister's office, that Netanyahu has been transferred for further recovery.
Netanyahu has often been hospitalized for health problems in the past. He had a pacemaker inserted last summer. On Sunday, Netanyahu's office announced that the 74-year-old had been diagnosed with a hernia during a routine examination the day before and that Netanyahu would undergo surgery that evening. According to the information, the procedure was carried out under general anesthesia. Justice Minister Yariv Levin, who is highly controversial because of his plans to restructure the rule of law, took over the office of head of government.
Netanyahu's office did not provide any information about exactly which hernia the prime minister was diagnosed with. The most common hernia is the so-called inguinal hernia. Most patients can leave the hospital quickly after hernia surgery and can return to normal physical activity after a few days or weeks. With a hernia, parts of the intestine, parts of organs or fatty tissue protrude through a gap in the abdominal wall.
Netanyahu is currently under a lot of pressure: Thousands of Israelis demonstrated again against the government of the right-wing conservative prime minister at the weekend and, among other things, called for new elections. On Sunday, demonstrators blocked a major road in Jerusalem after gathering outside the Israeli parliament. According to the AFP news agency, the police used water cannons against the protesters and pushed them back.
The night before, thousands of people had demonstrated against Netanyahu and for the return of the hostages held in the Gaza Strip.
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