Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been released from hospital on Monday after heart surgery.

This happened hours ahead of a key parliamentary vote on his planned judicial reforms.

The 73-year-old leader has left the Sheba Clinic near Tel Aviv, a government spokesperson said.

He was fitted with a pacemaker(a small, battery-powered device that prevents the heart from beating too slowly) during the weekend.

Netanyahu’s release came ahead of a crucial vote on a core part of his divisive judicial restructuring, which is scheduled for later on Monday in the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem.

While in hospital, Netanyahu met with opposition leader Yair Lapid as part of efforts by President Isaac Herzog to reach a last-minute compromise ahead of the vote.
dpa/NAN