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 will undergo a tracheotomy on tonight to help wean him off a respirator that has been helping him breathe since he suffered a massive stroke on January 4, hospital officials said.