Netanyahu says he was treated for early-stage prostate cancer

Benjamin Netanyahu says he is in excellent physical condition after treatment for early-stage prostate cancer, a disclosure he said was delayed over Iran-related concerns.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday that he was treated for early-stage prostate cancer and is now in “excellent physical condition” after a small malignant tumor was removed.

Netanyahu disclosed the diagnosis in a post on X after the publication of his annual medical report, saying doctors found “a tiny spot of less than a centimetre” during routine monitoring that followed earlier surgery for an enlarged benign prostate.

The 76-year-old leader said the problem was treated successfully and had left no trace. He described the case as a minor prostate issue that was “completely treated,” adding: “Thank God, it’s behind me.”

The timing of the disclosure carries political weight because Netanyahu remains at the center of several active security and diplomatic negotiations. He said he had asked to delay the release of his health record so it would not come out during the height of the U.S. and Israel’s war with Iran, saying he wanted to prevent Tehran from using it for “even more false propaganda against Israel.”

CBS News reported that Netanyahu said the successful operation took place 18 months ago and that his annual medical report had been due two months earlier. The BBC reported that the malignant tumor was found during follow-up monitoring after a 2024 procedure for an enlarged benign prostate.

Netanyahu also framed the medical decision as consistent with his approach to security threats, writing that when he receives timely information about a possible danger, he wants to address it immediately. “This is true on the national level and also on the personal level,” he said.

The disclosure comes ahead of an expected White House visit in the coming weeks, with the United States seeking a more durable peace arrangement in the war with Iran than the current fragile ceasefire. Netanyahu has visited the White House six times since President Donald Trump returned to office in early 2025, according to CBS News.

Separately, Israel’s ceasefire agreement with Lebanon, after fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement, has been extended by three weeks, though CBS News reported that Israeli military forces and Hezbollah have continued to exchange fire.

Netanyahu did not announce any change to his public duties in the captured source material. The next formal marker will be whether the delayed medical report provides additional detail on the treatment and follow-up monitoring described in his statement.