A controversial political figure yet a skilled military leader, Mr Sharon had been in a coma for eight years after suffering a severe stroke in 2006.
And while Israel mourns his loss, Palestinians have celebrated Mr Sharon's death.
Israel's past and current leaders have paid tribute to former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon who died aged 85.
The controversial politician and military leader will be buried on Monday afternoon at his property in the Negev desert in a military ceremony.
Israeli President Shimon Peres says the country is mourning the loss of one of its greatest leaders.
"Ariel Sharon was a great architect, an outstanding defender of his state. He turned the tides of the Yom Kippur War (in 1973) from an initial menace to a surprising victory that paved the way to peace with Egypt. He knew no fear, he took difficult decisions and implemented them courageously."
A key figure in Middle-Eastern politics, Ariel Sharon was once known chiefly as a ruthless military leader who fought in all of Israel's major wars before switching to politics in 1973.
He championed the development of Jewish settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, where many have celebrated news of his death.
Ariel Sharon was forced to resign as Defence Minister when an inquiry found he was personally responsible for the massacre of hundreds of Palestinians in refugee camps in Lebanon in 1982.
The massacres were carried out by Christian Lebanese militiamen allied to Israel, which had invaded southern Lebanon.
The head of the General Delegation of Palestine to Australia, Mr Izzat Abdulhadi says most Palestinians believe Mr Sharon was a war criminal.
"He was responsible of many massacres against the Palestinian people, against the innocent Palestinian people. And of course the most important thing was the massacre of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon through his invasion to Lebanon in 1982, it was the Sabra and Shatila (refugee camps), in which 3000 had been killed. Of course he had an indirect role, but he was surrounding Beirut at that time. And he had the Coalition and alliance with the militants, who committed this war crime."
But the head of the Australia-Israel and Jewish Affairs Council says the former Israeli Prime Minister paid for his mistakes.
Dr Colin Rubenstein says Mr Sharon will always be regarded with great admiration for his military skills.
"He paid his penalty, he was forced to step down. There was widespread criticism and revulsion in Israeli society and throughout the World. But the facts that matter more is that his was a sin of omission."
Although his early career as a warrior earned him the moniker "the Bulldozer", Dr Rubenstein says Ariel Sharon had shifted to a more conciliatory approach before a massive stroke left him comatose in 2006.
In 2005, despite fierce opposition in Israel, Mr Sharon ordered the withdrawal of Israeli troops and settlers from the Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank.
The move divided the Likud Party from which Mr Sharon broke away to establish the Kadima Party.
Dr Rubenstein says the former Prime Minister also took initiative in promoting a two-state outcome to the Israel-Palestinian conflict.
"He supported in principle the road map to peace and a two-state outcome. And then stunning the world really he announced this disengagement from the Gaza Strip in totality, dismantling all 21 settlements in Gaza as well as four in the West Bank."
Reacting to Mr Sharon's death, some world leaders have focused on this last political decision.
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged Israel to build on what he ca
Mr Sharon's "legacy of pragmatism" to achieve a viable Palestinian state.
But the head of the General Delegation of Palestine to Australia, Mr Izzat Abdulhadi says more transparency is needed as the world remembers Mr Sharon.
"The most important thing that Israel should also talk about the truth. Especially the acts of Ariel Sharon in this context. Because it's very painful memories in the minds of Palestinians."
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