Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he received successful treatment for early-stage prostate cancer, adding that doctors removed the problem and found no trace of it. The 76-year-old Israeli leader shared the update on Friday as his annual medical report was released.

In a statement on X, Netanyahu said a routine checkup detected an early-stage malignant tumor. He said doctors carried out “targeted treatment” and achieved full removal. “The problem was treated and is no longer present,” he said.

The medical report confirmed that Netanyahu underwent radiation therapy for early-stage prostate cancer. It did not say when the treatment took place. The report also described him as being in good overall health, according to Netanyahu’s post.

When was Netanyahu diagnosed with cancer?

Netanyahu did not provide a timeline for the diagnosis or treatment. He said he delayed the release of his medical report by two months due to security concerns. He said he wanted to prevent Iran from spreading “false propaganda against Israel” during a period of conflict.

In March, during tensions between Israel and Iran, rumours circulated on social media and Iranian state media claiming Netanyahu had died. In response, Netanyahu recorded a video of himself visiting a cafe in Jerusalem to dismiss the claims and show he was well, reported Reuters.

Netanyahu has faced several health issues in recent years. In 2024, he underwent prostate surgery after doctors diagnosed a urinary tract infection linked to benign prostate enlargement. In 2023, he received a pacemaker to manage heart rhythm issues.

Netanyahu’s planned visit to White House

Netanyahu’s health update comes amid ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran. Elections are due by October, and political tensions remain high. 

The announcement also comes ahead of a planned visit to the White House. The United States is working to broker a long-term peace deal related to the conflict involving Iran. Netanyahu is expected to play a key role in those discussions.

At the same time, Israel’s ceasefire agreement with Lebanon has been extended by three weeks. The ceasefire followed fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed group Hezbollah. The extension aims to maintain stability along the border while diplomatic efforts continue, reported Reuters.

However, Netanyahu’s office expressed confidence in his medical condition. The medical report also described him as fit to carry out his duties.