以色列前总理沙龙逝世 85载风云人生毁誉参半

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has died on Saturday at the age of 85, the director of the Rehabilitation Hospital at the Sheba Medical center confirmed at a press conference in the hospital.

"The Sheba Medical Center sadly announces the death of former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon," Prof. Shlomo Noy told reporters.

"Throughout the years he has been in a coma, his condition was defined as minimal consciousness, which referred to some minimal, nonverbal, abilities of communication," Shlomo Noy said.

"Sharon had overcome many medical complications due to his condition. In the past week he had fought for his life. Today, his heart gave up, while his family members surrounded him," he added.

A few minutes before the official announcement, Sharon's son Gilad announced his father's death in the hospital, saying "he left when he decided to leave."

As news broke out, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his regret over the passing of Sharon.

"The state of Israel bows its head in sorrow for the passing of former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon," Netanyahu said, according to a statement by the Prime Minister's Office.

"Ariel Sharon had been a central part in the struggle over the security of Israel throughout its years. He was a brave soldier and an outstanding military leader who served Israel in the battlefield from his early youth," Netanyahu said.

"After he took off his uniform, he served Israel in various roles in the governments of Israel, and of course as the 11th Israeli Prime Minister. His memory would be treasured forever in the heart of the nation," the prime minister said.

Israeli President Shimon Peres, who was Sharon's biggest opponent and then his ally, also eulogized Sharon.

"Sharon, my good friend, was a brave soldier and a daring statesman who contributed a lot to the safety and fortification of Israel," Peres said in a statement.

However, Palestinian Hamas movement which controls the Gaza Strip, said Saturday that former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was "a distinguished war criminal."

"The Palestinian people remember Sharon as someone who caused destruction, ordeals and displacement to them," Salah al-Bardaweel, a Hamas official told Xinhua.

Sharon has been in a coma for the past eight years since he suffered a stroke in January 2006. He was then replaced by former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert from his center-left Kadima party, which Sharon established after leaving the right-wing Likud party.

【新闻快讯】

据以色列媒体报道，当地时间11日下午，该国前总理阿里埃勒沙龙在特拉维夫谢巴医疗中心病逝，享年85岁。

自2006年第二次中风以来，沙龙一直处于昏迷状态。去年，医生在给沙龙做核磁共振时发现，当给他看家庭的照片和让他想象他的家时，他的脑部仍会产生兴奋。但是进行试验的神经学家表示，沙龙身体残疾，不能活动自己的肌肉。据悉，病情恶化后，沙龙的两个儿子守在病床前。

以色列官员表示，有关方面正制订计划，准备为沙龙举行国葬。