Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert today said he hoped to revive long-stalled peace efforts with the Palestinians, saying that they would be able to achieve an independent state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip through talks with Israel.

The condition of former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who has been in a coma since suffering a stroke in January, has deteriorated, though there was no immediate danger to his life, according to hospital officials and former aides.

The father of a captured Israeli soldier today called on the government to consider releasing Palestinian prisoners in exchange for his son, despite the government’s refusal to negotiate with the captors.

Israeli aircraft struck northern and southern Gaza today as thousands of troops, backed by warplanes and tanks, forged into the coastal strip in an operation meant to pummel Palestinian militants into releasing an Israeli soldier.

Prime minister Ehud Olmert today said after the launch of a military incursion into Gaza that Israel wouldn’t balk at “extreme action” to bring home a soldier captured by Palestinian militants.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon underwent emergency surgery today, his seventh operation in five weeks, after an abdominal scan disclosed severe damage to his digestive tract.

ISRAELI Prime Minister Ariel Sharon opened his eyes twice yesterday after family members played a tape of his grandson’s voice, aides said, raising hopes the 77-year-old stroke victim may be emerging from a coma.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon today briefly opened his eyes in response to a recording of his grandson’s voice, family members told doctors, though hospital officials warned there were no signs that the comatose Israeli leader was any closer to regaining consciousness.

ISRAELI Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s chief surgeon said last night that it was too early to assess the extent of brain damage the prime minister may have suffered after a massive stroke and two separate operations.

Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon underwent emergency surgery today after a brain scan revealed a rise in intracranial pressure and some bleeding in his brain.

THE future of the Middle East hung in the balance last night as Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon fought for life after emergency brain surgery for his massive stroke.

ISRAELI Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is renowned for his steel will, but there is one thing that just might be stronger than “the Bulldozer” - his appetite.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon underwent additional tests and evaluations in a Jerusalem hospital today after suffering a mild stroke.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon suffered a mild stroke tonight and was taken to a Jerusalem’s hospital for treatment, medics there said.

A senior Israeli defence official today challenged the Palestinian Authority to close the open border between Gaza and Egypt, saying its credibility was on the line over its failure to stop the flow of gunrunners and others across the frontier.

Israel was not warned about possible terror attacks in London before at least six blasts ripped through the city, Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom said today.

The West Bank town of Jericho and surrounding areas will be transferred to the control of Palestinians within the next few days – possibly as early as this evening – to be followed by the town of Tulkarem, a senior Israeli Defence Ministry official said today.

Palestinian and Israeli officials today expressed widely different expectations for an upcoming summit between their leaders, reflecting the sharp differences that remain as the two sides try to end four years of hostilities and resume peace talks.

Israel's attorney general dropped a corruption probe into Ariel Sharon today, ending months of uncertainty over the prime minister's political future and boosting prospects of an Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in 2005.

Israel’s attorney general today dropped a corruption case against Ariel Sharon, ending months of uncertainty over the prime minister’s political future and boosting chances for a withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in 2005.

Israel’s attorney general is expected to announce today that he is closing a corruption case against Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, officials close to the case said.

The Justice Ministry is coming to the conclusion that there is not enough evidence to indict Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in a bribery case, Israeli TV reported tonight.

ISRAELI Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s son testified yesterday that he destroyed potentially incriminating tapes relating to two corruption investigations, including one that targets the premier.

Israel’s Supreme Court today ordered Ariel Sharon’s son to hand over tapes and documents in two corruption cases, including one that allegedly also involves the prime minister.

Israeli opposition leaders demanded today that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon step down, following media reports that the state attorney is recommending he be indicted for bribe-taking.

A retired Israeli general claimed today that on the eve of the US-led war on Iraq a year ago, Saddam Hussein had chemical and biological weapons and was in the early stages of producing nuclear arms.

Yasser Arafat’s wife today accused Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of being behind reports of a probe by French prosecutors into alleged transfers of millions of pounds to her Paris bank accounts.

Under an emerging plan to dismantle settlements, Israel is considering moving Gaza Strip settlers to West Bank areas that Israel wants to annex under a final peace deal, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s spokesman said today.

ISRAELI Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was questioned for more than two hours yesterday by police over allegations that he took a bribe.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon remained defiant in the face of bribery allegation insisting that the scandal will not stop him completing his term in office.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon remained defiant today and said he will not quit despite corruption allegations and the possibility that he might be indicted in coming weeks.

The Israeli Justice Ministry was today considering whether to indict Prime Minister Ariel Sharon for allegedly accepting bribes, forcing him to step down, after charges were brought against a close associate.

ARIEL SHARON’S future as Israeli leader was in grave doubt last night as he faced possible charges following the indictment of a property developer on charges of bribing the prime minister.

An Israeli court indicted an Israeli businessman today on charges of bribing Ariel Sharon, further complicating the prime minister’s clouded legal situation.

Israeli police interrogated Prime Minister Ariel Sharon for seven hours today about suspicions of bribery suspicions in a property deal.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon cancelled all his meetings to face a day of being interrogated by anti corruption police.

Israeli police today questioned Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s elder son Omri for nine hours in a corruption investigation, police said.

Embattled Ariel Sharon has lashed out at his political rivals, accusing them of trying to unseat him with “despicable lies”.

ISRAELI Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is being investigated over an alleged €1 million bribe, it was reported yesterday.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, whose Likud party has been hurt in the polls by corruption charges, is being investigated over an alleged £1m (€1.54m) bribe, it was reported today.

Hundreds of Jewish settlers today prepared to oppose Israeli soldiers and police intent on dismantling their homes.