Amidst escalating conflicts in the Middle East and an ongoing corruption trial, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled for prostate surgery on Sunday. His office announced the procedure on Saturday, attributing it to a urinary tract infection resulting from a benign prostate enlargement. The 75-year-old leader faces multiple challenges, including navigating tensions with Iran and its affiliated groups.
This week, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) conducted airstrikes targeting Yemen's Houthi rebels, including Sana’a International Airport. The IDF stated these actions were in response to repeated attacks on Israel and its citizens by the Houthi regime, involving drones and missiles.
The IDF further specified that the strikes targeted military infrastructure used by the Houthis at Sana’a International Airport, Hezyaz and Ras Kanatib power stations, and ports in Al-Hudaydah, Salif, and Ras Kanatib.
The Houthi rebels, who dominate northern Yemen, have been attacking Israel for over a year, aligning themselves with Hamas. They have attempted to impose an embargo on Israel by targeting cargo ships in the Red Sea, a critical global trade route.
Simultaneously, Netanyahu is embroiled in a corruption trial within Israel, where he began testifying earlier this month and is expected to continue for several weeks. The trial, initiated in 2020, centers on allegations of Netanyahu trading regulatory favors for favorable media coverage in clandestine deals with media tycoons. Around 140 witnesses, including a former prime minister, ex-security officials, and media figures, have testified so far, fewer than the initially anticipated 300.
