Gantz out of surgery after ‘successful operation’ for back injury

Defense Minister Benny Gantz is recovering after successful surgery on his back, the Sheba Medical Center announced on Wednesday.

Gantz’s surgery “was successfully completed as planned,” the hospital said in a brief statement.

Recovery time is expected to be a few days, during which Gantz will work from his hospital bed in the orthopedic department.

Gantz entered surgery earlier in the day for a herniated disc he sustained during his army service, his office said.

The Blue and White chief decided to undergo the operation as his back pain increased in recent weeks and his doctors recommended that he not put it off any longer, Channel 12 reported.

While incapacitated, Gantz was temporarily replaced by Minister Michael Biton, also from the Blue and White party.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that he sent Gantz good wishes for his recovery.

The premier is embroiled with Gantz in a bitter dispute over the budget that risks plunging Israel into another election campaign.

Finance Minister Israel Katz, who grew up in the same community as Gantz, tweeted that he was moved to see the defense minister praying ahead of the surgery.

“I sent wishes for health and a speedy recovery to the alternate prime minister and Defense Minister Benny Gantz,” Katz tweeted. “I was emotional to see him [carry out] the morning prayers before the surgery, part of the heritage of religious education that we received in our hometown.”

Opposition leader and former political partner Yair Lapid of Yesh Atid, also commented on the surgery, saying he wished Gantz a “speedy recovery and good health.”