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(born Feb. 26, 1928, Kefar Malal, Palestine) Israeli soldier and politician. He received military training early in life and did intelligence and reconnaissance work after Israel achieved independence. During the Suez Crisis (1956) and again during the Six-Day War (1967), a unit under his command captured the strategic Mitla Pass. In the Yom Kippur War (1973), he led an Israeli counterattack. Appointed minister of agriculture in charge of settlements in 1977, he actively promoted Jewish settlement in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. As minister of defense (1981 – 83), he oversaw Israel's invasion of Lebanon (see Lebanese civil war). An Israeli court of inquiry held Sharon indirectly responsible for the Sabra and Shatila massacres, and he was forced to resign in 1983. He held several further cabinet positions throughout the 1980s and '90s and in 1999 became head of the Likud party. Elected prime minister in 2001, Sharon faced increased fighting between Israelis and Palestinians. In an effort to stem the violence, he initiated a plan to withdraw Israeli settlers and soldiers from the Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank in 2005. In November 2005 Sharon quit Likud to form Kadima ("Forward"), a centrist party. In January 2006 he suffered a massive stroke, and power was transferred to an acting prime minister.