Israel's Netanyahu says he was treated for prostate cancer: What we know
The prime minister said he postponed the report’s publication to prevent it from being released at the height of the war with Iran.
An official medical report released Friday by Benjamin Netanyahu’s office reveals he underwent surgery for early-stage prostate cancer within the past year, a procedure not disclosed at the time despite his hospitalization.
What happened: The report states that Netanyahu, 76, is now in good health following successful treatment of a malignant prostate tumor. He had previously undergone surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia at Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem on Dec. 29, 2024, which was publicly disclosed.
A routine follow-up MRI later detected a small lesion under one centimeter. Subsequent tests confirmed early-stage prostate cancer. According to a statement released Friday, the tumor showed no signs of “spread or metastasis whatsoever.”
“I underwent targeted treatment that removed the problem and left no trace of it,” Netanyahu said.
He added that he delayed disclosure to avoid the news emerging “at the peak of the war” and being used by Iran for propaganda, saying he is now in “good health and excellent physical condition.”
Why it matters: The news comes amid mounting political pressure ahead of Israel’s next elections, due by Oct. 27. Recent polling indicates Netanyahu’s coalition may struggle to maintain a majority.
He is also facing renewed competition from former prime minister Naftali Bennett, now a leading challenger.
A Maariv poll published April 17 showed Netanyahu’s bloc with 49 seats versus 61 for the opposition. The survey was conducted during a ceasefire with Iran and prior to a separate ceasefire with Lebanon.
Know more: Netanyahu has also faced internal criticism over those ceasefire agreements. A senior political source told Al-Monitor the Lebanon ceasefire was “Trump’s decision, not Israel’s,” highlighting coalition tensions.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu continues to stand trial on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in three cases. Proceedings, ongoing since 2020, have been repeatedly delayed amid conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran.
