Zee Media Bureau/Hemant Abhishek
Jerusalem: Ariel Sharon, the former Israeli general and prime minister died aged 85, at a hospital near Tel Aviv on Saturday, reports said.
Israeli Army Radio said quoting a relative of his family that Sharon breathed his last at Sheba Hospital today.
Sharon had been in a coma for eight years after he had a stroke at the height of his power.
The Israeli statesman was a national war hero to many Israelis for his leadership, both in uniform or as a civilian, during every Israeli war.
After Israel`s 1982 invasion of Lebanon, where he served as defense minister, many in the Arab world called Sharon "the Butcher of Beirut".
He oversaw many defining events in the Middle East, including his decision to turn over Gaza and parts of the West Bank to Palestinian control.
In Israel he was known as the "The Bulldozer," a fearless leader who got things done.
His body will lie in state at the Knesset before he is buried at his Negev ranch beside his wife Lily, who died in 2000.
Sharon`s vital organs failed, including his kidneys and his lungs, the Post reported.
His blood pressure and heartbeat, which returned to normal on Monday, deteriorated on Thursday. Hospital officials said others in his condition would not have lasted as long as he did.
Sharon was revered by many in his country as "Mr Security" for his contributions in all the major wars since Israel`s independence.
While serving as defence minister in 1982, he masterminded Israel`s invasion of Lebanon. During the invasion, Lebanese Christian militiamen allied to Israel massacred hundreds of Palestinians in two Beirut refugee camps - Sabra and Shatila - under Israeli control.
He was nevertheless elected prime minister 18 years later, pledging to achieve "security and true peace", and served until his second stroke.
