TEL AVIV (Agencies): Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Twitter that he will undergo heart surgery overnight to receive a pacemaker.
In a brief 36-second video clip, Netanyahu explained that a monitoring device alerted him to the need for a pacemaker, and he emphasized the importance of listening to his doctors. Despite feeling great, he acknowledged the necessity of the procedure.
During his absence, Justice Minister Yariv Levin will serve as the acting prime minister, as reported by the Times of Israel. Netanyahu hopes to be released from Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan in time to participate in votes on the coalition’s contentious judicial reform, scheduled for Monday or earlier.
Last Saturday, Netanyahu was rushed to the hospital after reportedly feeling dizzy at home. While his office mentioned no loss of consciousness, doctors fitted him with a heart implant to monitor cardiac arrhythmia after conducting several tests. Although Netanyahu’s doctors assert that his heart is in excellent condition and he has no known chronic health issues, concerns have been raised about the lack of transparency regarding his health updates since 2016.