Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu successfully had his prostate removed on Sunday, allowing him to delay his corruption trial while recovering in an underground bunker—because who needs a conventional hospital, anyway?

Netanyahu's surgery, necessitated by a urinary tract infection from a benign prostate enlargement, means he can now avoid court proceedings while recuperating in a secure location, highlighting the lengths one might go to in order to dodge legal accountability—even if it means trading hospital gowns for bunker chic. With ongoing health issues casting a shadow on his leadership, this latest medical detour raises both eyebrows and questions about whether he can still carry the weight of his office or if he’ll continue to lean on others while he recuperates.

The surgery itself went off without a hitch, lasting around an hour—a timeframe that, coincidentally, is about the same duration as his most recent speech on fiscal responsibility. Netanyahu is now in a recovery unit that can only be described as secure, perhaps in case any disgruntled citizens decide to pay him a visit during his vulnerable moments of post-anesthesia reflection.

During this time, Justice Minister Yariv Levin has stepped in as acting prime minister. Levin has had his hands full, not only dealing with the usual chaos of Israeli politics but also trying to maintain decorum in the absence of Prime Minister Netanyahu, who recently underwent surgery. It seems that the Prime Minister's absence has prompted Levin to possibly rethink the value of those Sunday afternoons planned for governing.

In the grander scheme of things, Israel's political landscape remains as tumultuous as ever, especially with recent airstrikes by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) on Houthi rebels. While Netanyahu was tucked away focusing on healing, the IDF was busy dispensing surgical strikes of a different sort, leaving many wondering if Netanyahu's recovery from surgery might just be overshadowed by the urgent matters he had temporarily sidestepped.

Netanyahu's hospitalization also fuels speculation about his longevity in power, as health concerns have plagued him more recently than ever. From a heart condition leading to the fitting of a pacemaker to a prior bout of dehydration, it appears the Prime Minister has been playing an inadvertent game of 'How Many Health Issues Can One Leader Accumulate?' There’s a possibility he should consider a new PR strategy, perhaps highlighting a wellness theme to pivot public perception away from his ongoing trial.

As it stands, Netanyahu’s legal struggles will face a delay due to this medical setback, a situation that some might interpret as classic political serendipity. The Prime Minister will have ample time to contemplate both his health and his fate while enveloped in the comforts of a secured bunker, presumably with Netflix and an abundant supply of bland hospital food at his disposal.

There's an irony in the timing of this surgery; just as Netanyahu was poised to face more questioning about his alleged corruption, he found himself becoming the subject of new headlines. The media will no doubt relish the ‘Where’s Netanyahu?’ narrative that takes precedence over his ongoing courtroom drama. It’s a twist that will have political commentators scratching their heads, trying to unravel the tangled web of health and politics that continues to ensnare him.

While some may see Netanyahu as a master of evasion, others might argue that his health issues point to the vulnerabilities inherent in long-standing leadership positions, particularly in a region as fraught with turmoil as the Middle East. As he recuperates, the Prime Minister’s allies may wish for nothing more than to see a return to form, hoping he can provide the assertive leadership they believe is required amidst the chaos—because, after all, a healthy Prime Minister is a more effective Prime Minister, even if 'effective' can be a relative term.

Time will tell whether this surgery allows Netanyahu to rebound stronger than ever or if it contributes to his growing list of reasons for postponing political engagements. Either way, as he rests in a secure bunker away from courtrooms and legislative debates, he might just be enjoying the first peaceful moments he’s had in a long while—assuming that the political reports don’t interrupt his nap, of course.