Ariel Sharon clinically dead? Local media make dire claim, doctor tries 'to refute the rumors'

Despite doctors' attempts to counter media reports, local print and television stations in Israel are reporting Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is clinically dead following a massive stroke yesterday.

Sources tell Israel Insider Sharon "died" at 11 a.m. today local time, but Shlomo Mor-Yosef, director of Hadassah Hospital where the prime minister lies, denied reports of Sharon's death and says he is "serious but stable."

Local TV station Channel 10 reports those closest to Sharon as saying he has suffered "brain damage," which, Israel Insider contends, could mean the leader has suffered brain death, or lack of cerebral activity, while his heart continues to beat.

In updating reporters, however, Mor-Yosef said Sharon's pupils were responding to stimulation, which independent doctors said was a positive sign of independent brain activity, the Associated Press reported.

Doctors today said Sharon likely will be sedated for 72 hours. He underwent seven hours of surgery to stop brain hemorrhaging last night. Sharon's first stroke, a mild one, occurred Dec. 18.

"The prime minister is suffering from low intracranial pressure, and is heavily sedated," Mor-Yosef said. "He will be respirated for at least the next 24 hours. All the parameters that we can check are as expected, following an operation of this type."

Continued the doctor: "I came out to update you and to refute the rumors flooding the country," referring to claims that Sharon had already died and that the government is purposely delaying the news.

"Sharon is still alive," an aide in the intensive care unit told Ynet News. But Channel 10 quotes "someone very close" to the prime minister as saying that he had suffered "brain damage."

The TV station also is reporting that Sharon will be detached from one or more of his life-support machines in the next day or two, with the likelihood that he will not be able to survive without them.

The station also indicated the official death announcement is planned for Sunday, when world stock markets are closed.

Israel Insider claims its source said the Israeli Ministry of Defense in Tel Aviv was informed about noon today that Sharon "died during surgery."

The Israeli media is not alone in its claims.

One senior political leader told WND last night, while Sharon was on the operating table, he has information the Israeli leader is "clinically dead. He is on life support machines in the operating theater that can keep him alive for an extended period, but doctors are pessimistic he can return to normal functioning."