Israel Leader Ariel Sharon in Kidney Failure

Ariel Sharon, one of Israel's most famous leaders, may have only days left to live.

The former Prime Minister has been in a coma since suffering a major stroke in 2006. Now doctors say his kidneys are shutting down and other major organs are in decline.

Sharon had been one of Israel's top generals, well-known for his victories over the Egyptian army in the Sinai Desert during the Six-Day War and the Yom Kippur War.

He took a hard line on defending Israel and supporting building Jewish settlements in Palestinian controlled territory. But near the end of his career he oversaw the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza strip, which is now controlled by Hamas.