Ariel Sharon passed away today aged 85 after suffering multiple organ collapse.
The 85-year-old had been in a coma since having a devastating stroke in January 2006 while still in office. Israeli Army Radio announced the death, and his son Gilad later confirmed to reporters: 'He has gone. He went when he decided to go.'
At a press conference this afternoon, Professor Shlomo Noy of the Sheba Medical centre said he 'departed peacefully with his family at his side'.