- The 82-year-old leader has endured a series of health scares in recent days
- Abbas was previously reported as having a minor ear operation on Tuesday
- The Palestinian president was then briefly readmitted to hospital on Friday
The Palestinian president has been admitted to hospital for the third time in one week in the leader’s latest health scare.
Mahmoud Abbas reportedly had a minor ear operation on Tuesday and was briefly readmitted to hospital on Friday.
The 82-year-old has endured a series of recent health scares which have revived anxiety about a battle over who will succeed the Palestinian leader.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (right) shakes hands with Chile’s President Sebastian Pinera at La Moneda Presidential Palace in Santiago, Chile
He has now been taken to a West Bank hospital, according to a Palestinian official, who would not comment further on the president’s condition.
Abbas, a heavy smoker, has a long history of health issues, ranging from heart troubles to a bout with prostate cancer a decade ago.
Last summer, he underwent a health checkup at a Ramallah hospital and separately dispelled rumors he had suffered a stroke.
Abbas insists he is fine, but potential successors are quietly jockeying for position.
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