JERUSALEM— Former Israeli President Shimon Peres on Tuesday suffered a stroke and was rushed to a hospital, where he was sedated and placed on a respirator while he underwent a brain scan.

An official in Peres’ office said the 93-year-old underwent a CT scan, but that results were not yet available. The official spoke on condition of anonymity pending a formal announcement.

Israeli TV stations, citing hospital officials, said Peres was suffering from bleeding to the brain and described his condition as serious.

Early this year, Peres was twice hospitalized for heart problems but quickly released. His office said Peres received a pacemaker last week.

Just hours before the stroke, Peres had uploaded a video to his Facebook account urging the public to buy locally made products. In the video, Peres appears somewhat weary but is otherwise alert and coherent.

Peres held senior political office in Israel over a seven-decade career, including three terms as prime minister and stints as foreign minister and finance minister.

He won the 1994 Nobel Peace Prize for his work in reaching an interim peace agreement with the Palestinians. As president, a largely ceremonial office, he cultivated an image as the country’s elder statesman.

Associated Press