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Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu hospitalized

The prime minister’s office said that Netanyahu was at Sheba Medical Center and “he is well and is undergoing a medical evaluation.”
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was hospitalized Saturday, his office confirmed.

Netanyahu, 73, “is well and is undergoing a medical evaluation,” his office said in a statement. He was at Sheba Medical Center, it said.

Netanyahu in a video appeared to blame hot weather.

"Yesterday I spent time with my wife at the Sea of Galilee, in the sun, without a hat and water. Wasn't a good idea," he said. "I want to thank everyone for their concern, thank God I feel good."

Netanyahu said that the country is experiencing very hot weather, and urged people to stay out of the sun and drink water.

He will stay at the hospital overnight for observation, the prime minister's office said. Doctors recommended the stay, it said. A scheduled cabinet meeting was postponed to Monday.

Israeli news outlet Ynet reported that Netanyahu went to the hospital after feeling ill.

Ynet reported that Netanyahu arrived at the hospital in a convoy. It reported, citing sources it did not name, that he was fully conscious.

Netanyahu was elected in November, in a return to power. He is the country’s longest-serving leader, having been in office for a total of 15 years in two separate stints.

He had been ousted by a coalition in 2021.

In the U.S., a White House National Security Council spokesperson said: "We wish him a speedy recovery.”

Republican presidential candidates Mike Pence and Asa Hutchinson were among those expressing well wishes to Netanyahu.