Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in 'excellent health' following surgery

It comes as nearly six months of war has destroyed critical infrastructure in Gaza including hospitals, schools and homes, ITV News' Ian Woods reports

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in “excellent” health following surgery to treat a hernia, according to a statement released Sunday by Hadassah Hospital Ein Kerem in Jerusalem.

The procedure “ended successfully” and Netanyahu is “awake, he is talking to his family, and his situation is perfect,” Alon Pikarsky, the hospital’s director of general surgery, said in an early morning video statement.

Netanyahu, 74, was diagnosed with a hernia during a routine examination, his office previously said in a statement. He was placed under anesthesia for the procedure, his office said.

He previously underwent a hernia operation in 2013 and had a pacemaker fitted last year.

It comes as tens of thousands of Israelis gathered outside the parliament building in Jerusalem in the largest anti-government demonstration since the country went to war in October.

Protesters have urged the government to reach a deal to free dozens of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza and to hold early elections.

It comes as nearly six months of war has destroyed critical infrastructure in Gaza including hospitals, schools and homes as well as roads, sewage systems and the electrical grid.

Over 80% of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million has been displaced, the UN and international aid agencies say.

Gaza's Health Ministry has said more than 32,782 Palestinians have been killed, with 82 bodies taken to hospitals in the past 24 hours.

The Health Ministry doesn’t distinguish between civilians and combatants in its toll but has said the majority of those killed have been women and children.

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