Netanyahu recovering after successful hernia surgery in Israel

The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, underwent successful hernia surgery today, but will require several days’ rest to make a full recovery, aides and doctors said.

During the overnight procedure, which took around an hour and required general anaesthetic, the Defence Minister, Moshe Ya’alon, temporarily assumed the 63-year-old leader’s powers, Mr Netanyahu’s office said in a statement.

Yuval Weiss, director of the Jerusalem hospital where the surgery took place, said the operation was ordered at short notice as a precaution against Mr Netanyahu’s condition deteriorating. Mr Netanyahu’s office said he had been diagnosed after complaining of abdominal pain.

“The Prime Minister feels well after the operation,” Mr Weiss told Israel Radio. “He is now fully conscious.”

A statement later issued by the Prime Minister’s office said Mr Netanyahu had reassumed his duties in looking after Israelis’ “welfare and security”.