In a few months it will be five years since former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon sank into a coma. His situation remains unchanged, but he is expected to be moved back to his Sycamore Ranch in the Negev soon, together with the medical instruments required to support life, the Yedioth Ahronoth daily reported Wednesday.

During the last few days, the final preparations were made for the move to the ranch, where his wife Lily is buried. The move is expected within a few weeks, firstly just for a few days for a trial period after which he will be taken back to the hospital. If it becomes clear that the necessary medical care is available at the ranch, he will be taken back to the ranch permanently.

The house has been prepared to receive him, with medical equipment and an elevator to carry him from the ground floor to his bedroom on the second floor.

Sharon, now 82 years old, has been lying unconscious since January 2006, first in Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem and then in the Chaim Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer.

It was reported in the past that the Chaim Sheba Medical Center had asked the family to take Sharon home, accompanied by a nurse, because "there is no place to provide him with special medical services at the hospital." However, according to Wednesday's report, it was his sons Gilad and Omri who requested the move.

"A dialogue with the family and medical staff is being held continuously to see whether it is possible to continue treatment of Mr. Sharon in an environment which is not a hospital," the Chaim Sheba Medical Center said in February 2009.