Ariel Sharon Biography

Birth of Ariel Sharon

Sharon leads the 202nd Paratroop Brigade overland toward the isolated battalion near Mitla Pass.

Sharon leads the ground element of the 202nd Paratroop Brigade toward the isolated force near Mitla Pass.

Sharon's brigade captures Kuntilla while opening the overland route toward the airborne battalion.

Commands the paratroop force dropped near Mitla Pass at the opening of Operation Kadesh.

Sharon's overland column links with the paratroopers dropped near Mitla Pass the previous day.

Fights Egyptian forces around Mitla Pass during the Sinai Campaign.

Sharon orders forces into Mitla Pass, where intense fighting develops with Egyptian troops.

Helps found the Likuud Party

Leads a counterattack against Egyptian forces on the Sinai front.

His division attacks through the Chinese Farm area to open the way to the canal crossing.

Establishes a bridgehead near Deversoir across the Suez Canal.

His forces cross the Suez Canal during the Israeli counteroffensive.

Israeli tanks under Sharon cross the Suez Canal and begin to threaten the rear of Egyptian forces.

Consolidates the Israeli bridgehead near Deversoir after the crossing of the Suez Canal.

His division holds the canal bridgehead and helps divide the Egyptian Second and Third Armies.

Ariel Sharon, as defense minister, directs the dismantling of Israeli settlements in the Sinai Peninsula

Ariel Sharon, as defense minister, directs the dismantling of Israeli settlements in the Sinai Peninsula

Israeli Defence Minister Ariel Sharon orders his forces to invade southern Lebanon to drive Palestine Liberation Organisation fighters out of the country. A 70-day siege by 30,000 Israeli troops leaves up to 14,000 Lebanese and Palestinian civilians dead

Israel wipes out Syrian SAM missiles in Bekaa Valley

Israel stages heavy bombardments of Beirut, the United Nations Security council expresses its most serious concern about continued military activities in Lebanon, particularly in and around Beirut

Israel stages heavy bombardments of Beirut, the United Nations Security council expresses its most serious concern about continued military activities in Lebanon, particularly in and around Beirut

Israel stages heavy bombardments of Beirut, the United Nations Security council expresses its most serious concern about continued military activities in Lebanon, particularly in and around Beirut

The Israeli army occupies Beirut

Resigns after an enquiry into the massacre of Palestinian refugees in West Beirut

Palestinians initiate riots after Israeli opposition leader Ariel Sharon visits the Temple Mount, which is also the location of the Haram as Sharif holy to Muslims

Palestinians initiate riots after Israeli opposition leader Ariel Sharon visits the Temple Mount, which is also the location of the Haram as Sharif holy to Muslims

Sharon's visit to the disputed holy site becomes a trigger for widespread Palestinian unrest

Visits the Temple Mount Haram al Sharif before the outbreak of the Second Intifada.

Breaks off relations with the Palestinian Authority

Right-wing Likud leader Ariel Sharon elected Prime Minister in Israel replacing Ehud Barak and promising "peace and security"

Appointed Prime Minister of Israel

Sharon becomes Prime Minister as the Second Intifada intensifies

Takes office during escalating violence in the Second Intifada.

Sharon becomes Prime Minister as the Second Intifada intensifies.

Approves intensified targeted operations against militants during the Second Intifada.

Israel begins building the West Bank separation barrier during the Second Intifada

Israel begins building the West Bank separation barrier during the Second Intifada

Israel launches Operation Defensive Shield after a wave of suicide bombings

Orders a large West Bank operation after suicide bombings inside Israel.

Israel conducts operation Defensive Wall in the West Bank, following a large number of Palestinian suicide attacks on civilian targets

Israel conducts operation Defensive Wall in the West Bank, following a large number of Palestinian suicide attacks on civilian targets

Approves construction of the West Bank separation barrier during the Second Intifada.

Israel accepts the Road Map for Peace with reservations during the Second Intifada

Elections in Israel give wide margin (40 seats) to right wing Likud party, returning PM Ariel Sharon for another term

The Likuud Party wins 38 of the 120 seats, the most of all the parties

Israel & Palestine are handed a "road map" to peace in the Middle East

Accepts the Quartet Road Map with reservations.

Sharon meets Abbas during the Aqaba summit as the Road Map process begins

Announces a unilateral plan to remove Israeli settlements from the Gaza Strip.

The International court of Justice (ICJ) rules that the Israeli security barrier violates international law and must be torn down

The International court of Justice (ICJ) rules that the Israeli security barrier violates international law and must be torn down

Authorizes major Israeli operations in Gaza during continuing Second Intifada violence.

The Israeli cabinet formally declares an end to military rule

Israel withdraws from the Philadelphi Route, a narrow strip adjacent to the border with Egypt,

Sharon meets Abbas and announces understandings intended to end the Second Intifada

Meets Mahmoud Abbas and announces steps intended to end the Second Intifada.

Sharon meets Abbas and announces understandings intended to end the Second Intifada

Sharon meets Abbas at Sharm el Sheikh during efforts to end the Second Intifada

Sharon meets Abbas at Sharm el Sheikh during efforts to end the Second Intifada

Begins implementing Israeli withdrawal from Gaza settlements.

Leaves Likud and forms Kadima after the Gaza disengagement controversy.

Ariel Sharon suffers a massive stroke, leaving the leadership of Israel and the new Kadima party in the hands of Ehud Olmert

Death of Ariel Sharon