Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon attends a meeting with the Israeli president Moshe Katsav in Jerusalem in this February 21, 2005 file photo.[Photo/Agencies]

JERUSALEM - The health condition of former Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon is continuing to deteriorate and only "a miracle" would stop the decline, the hospital where he is being treated said on Monday.

Sharon's health, who has been comatose in the past eight years due to a stroke, took a turn for the worse last Wednesday.

"We are continuing to describe his condition as a critical life- threatening condition," said head of Sheba Medical Center, Prof. Ze'ev Rotstein.

"Absent anything short of a miracle, his condition will get worse day by day," Rotstein added.

"I am sorry to say that we see a further gradual decline of the function of his vital organs," Rotstein told reporters.

He added that the two sons of 85-year old Sharon remain constantly at his bedside.

The iconic statesman and retired general was one of the most influential and controversial figures in Israeli politics.