Former Israeli PM Shimon Peres hospitalised after suffering stroke

Former Israeli prime minister Shimon Peres was hospitalised on Tuesday (13 September) after suffering a stroke. The 93-year-old, who also once served as Israel's President, sustained a large brain haemorrhage and was in an induced coma at Tel Hasher Hospital near Tel Aviv.

Peres's office initially said he suffered a light stroke but it was soon revealed that his condition was serious. Doctors decided to place him in an induced coma and on a respirator to conduct further tests, said sources in his office, reported Haaretz,

A brain scan to further assess his condition was conducted before the former PM was later admitted to the hospital's intensive care unit. He is currently being guarded by police, Haaretz reported.

The Independent reported later on Tuesday (13 September) that his condition was "stable".

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: "I wish Former President Shimon Peres a speedy recovery. Shimon, we love you and the entire nation hopes for your recovery, Netanyahu wrote on Facebook, according to NPR.

Meanwhile, President Reuven Rivlin released a statement saying: "I am following with concern the updates from the hospital, and pray together with the entire people for my friend Shimon's recovery."

Isaac Herzog, chairman of the Labor Party Peres once led, tweeted: "We wish you, our dear former president, Shimon Peres, a speedy recovery and swift return to voicing your clear words of wisdom."

Haaretz reported that Peres was hospitalised in January with a cardiac arrhythmia just 10 days after suffering a heart attack. Doctors had performed a cardiac catheterization after discovering Peres had a narrowed artery.

During his political career, Peres helped orchestrate the Oslo Accords, a 1993 interim peace deal with the Palestinians. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Peres served as a defence official and founded Israel's nuclear reactor in Dinoma, Haaretz reported. According to The Associated Press, Peres served three terms as prime minister and also served as foreign minister and finance minister.