On January 11, 2014, Ariel Sharon, the 11th Prime Minister of Israel, died at the age of 85. Sharon was born in Kfar Malal, Palestine in 1928 and served in the Israeli Defense Force from its founding in 1948. He is widely known for his role in leading Israel to victory during the Six-Day War. He held positions in various cabinets, and was appointed Prime Minister in 2001. During his time as Prime Minister, he withdrew Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip, which brought about the end of the Second Intifada, a period of unrest in the region. He is remembered for his military achievements, his hard-line stance on security issues, and his commitment to peace in the region. These qualities were elaborated upon in a statement from the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which said that he "leaves behind an imprint on Israel and the region spanning many decades."