Ariel Sharon, Israeli Warrior Who Vacated Gaza, Dies at 85

Ariel Sharon, the Israeli warrior and former prime minister as famous for his ferocity in battling Arabs as for his turnaround decision to evacuate settlers and soldiers from the Gaza Strip, died yesterday. He was 85.

Sharon, who had been in coma since suffering a stroke in January 2006, died from multiple organ failure at Chaim Sheba Medical Center, near Tel Aviv. His casket, draped with the country’s blue-and-white flag, was mounted today on a black bier in the courtyard of the parliament in Jerusalem so Israelis could pay respects. He is to be buried tomorrow in a military ceremony at his ranch in the country’s southern Negev desert, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in an e-mailed statement.