Ariel Sharon was an Israeli military leader and politician, born on February 26, 1928. He served as the Prime Minister of Israel from 2001 to 2006 and was a prominent figure in the Israeli Defense Forces during several conflicts, including the Six-Day War and the Yom Kippur War. Sharon was known for his controversial military strategies and his role in the 1982 Lebanon War. In his political career, Sharon was a founding member of the Likud party and later established the Kadima party. He played a significant role in the peace process, notably initiating the unilateral withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in 2005. Sharon's leadership was marked by both military achievements and contentious political decisions.