Netanyahu undergoes successful prostate cancer treatment

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Friday that he has successfully undergone treatment for early-stage prostate cancer, revealing that a routine follow-up MRI detected a minuscule suspicious lesion measuring less than one millimeter in his prostate. The 76-year-old leader underwent initial surgery on December 29, 2024, at Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia, and subsequent diagnostic tests confirmed the presence of cancer with no evidence of metastases. The radiation therapy treatment was described as fully successful, with complete disappearance of the lesion confirmed by subsequent imaging and laboratory examinations. Prof. Aharon Popovzer of the Sharret Institute at Hadassah Medical Center directed the treatment in collaboration with Dr. Mark Wigoda and Dr. Shraga Gora. In a post on social media, Netanyahu stated that doctors determined he could either monitor the condition or pursue treatment, and he chose the latter option, describing the procedures as brief sessions where he continued working. The Israeli leader emphasized he is now in good health and excellent physical condition. Netanyahu explained that he deliberately delayed the publication of his medical report for two months, specifically requesting that the information not be released at the height of the conflict with Iran. The prime minister stated that he made this request to prevent Tehran from exploiting his medical condition for propaganda purposes during the ongoing war between Israel and Iran. He said in a statement that he wanted to avoid giving Iran an opportunity to spread false propaganda against Israel at a critical moment in the conflict. Despite undergoing treatment during the war period, Netanyahu continued his governmental duties, noting in his social media post that he attended some brief treatment sessions, read a book, and continued working throughout the process. This revelation comes as Netanyahu is reportedly scheduled to visit the White House in the coming weeks as the United States seeks to broker a lasting peace deal in the war with Iran.