Maran HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef Shlita is undergoing what is being described as a “critical surgical procedure” in Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Yerushalayim as the gadol hador’s condition continues to deteriorate.

Doctors announced prior to taking the gadol hador into the surgical suite that the plan is to conduct the procedure with a local anesthetic but if need be, the rav will be put under general anesthesia.

According to some reports the procedure in question is the insertion of a pacemaker but this is unconfirmed at this time. It appears that the diminished kidney function may have led to issues with the rav’s heart. Tehillim are being recited around the country. A major tefilla rally for the rav was announced earlier on Sunday, 18 Tishrei 5774 to be held on Monday,19 Tishrei at 16:00 at the Kosel and other areas throughout Eretz Yisrael.

Earlier in the day Shas leader Aryeh Deri told the media that there is concern regarding the rav’s diminished kidney function, but at that time there was no mention made of any cardiac issues. Deri did state that doctors indicated the next 24 hours were critical regarding the rav’s kidney function.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)