Despite claims of good health, Abbas’ discharge from hospital postponed

Abbas’ ailing health has long been a source of speculation as to who will assume the PA leadership. 

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s release from hospital, expected Sunday, was postponed for the second time in a week, despite his claims of good health.

Days after undergoing ear surgery, Abbas, 83, was admitted last week with a fever.

On Tuesday, reports from the Palestinian Authority (PA) indicated Abbas was making a quick recovery. Despite claims by the Palestinian leader and his political allies that he is in good health and that test results were “positive and reassuring,” according to AP, doctors declined to discharge him, saying he was suffering from pneumonia and breathing on a respirator. He was also receiving antibiotics intravenously.

Some sources said his health has suffered a “major setback” in recent weeks, AP said.

A heavy smoker and overweight, Abbas has also had bouts with cancer.

Earlier this year, he underwent what his aides described as “routine checkups” in an American hospital.

Abbas’ ailing health has long been a source of speculation as to who will assume the PA leadership and how it will affect the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as well as the Palestinians’ relationship with the Arab world and the West.