Ariel Sharon near death

Former Israeli PM Ariel Sharon’s health condition has deteriorated further, hospital officials say.

Ariel Sharon, 85, has been in a persistent vegetative state since a stroke in January 2006.

Ariel Sharon has been in a persistent vegetative state since a stroke in January 2006

His condition is described as “critical” and his family is at his side, according to a statement from Sheba hospital near Tel Aviv.

Ariel Sharon, who became PM in 2001, is suffering from a malfunction of several organs including the kidneys.

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