Jerusalem, 25 April (H.S.): Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed on Friday that he underwent successful treatment for early-stage prostate cancer, marking his first public acknowledgment of the diagnosis while reassuring the nation of his robust health during ongoing regional conflicts.

Speaking on Friday, the 76-year-old leader detailed a timeline of medical interventions conducted discreetly to avoid wartime distractions. Approximately 18 months prior, he had surgery for an enlarged benign prostate; two and a half months ago, routine monitoring at Jerusalem's Hadassah Hospital detected a small malignant tumor, less than one centimeter in size, which was eradicated via targeted radiation therapy. I requested to delay its publication by two months so that it would not be released at the height of the war against Iran, Netanyahu explained, aiming to preempt adversarial propaganda.

Hadassah Hospital's oncology director, Aharon Popovtser, corroborated the positive outcome, stating that post-treatment imaging and blood tests confirmed the complete disappearance of the disease, attributing the early detection to Netanyahu's age-common condition. Netanyahu dismissed the matter as a minor medical issue, emphasizing his current excellent physical condition despite speculation fueled by AI-generated fakes during the Iran war's initial phase.

This disclosure revives scrutiny over the prime minister's historically opaque health reporting, including a delayed pacemaker announcement after a public fainting episode.

As Israel's longest-serving leader navigates wars in Iran, Gaza, and Lebanon—coupled with recent ceasefire extensions—Netanyahu's update underscores personal resilience amid strategic pressures, with no reported impact on his duties.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar