Israeli media says former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir has died at 96

The Associated Press

JERUSALEM - Israeli media are reporting that former Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir has died. He was 96.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netnayhau mourned Shamir's death Saturday, saying in a statement that Shamir "led Israel with a deep loyalty to the nation."

Shamir's ability to remain true to his belief — that Israel must hang on to territory and never trust an Arab regime — guided him throughout his life.

Born Yitzhak Jazernicki in Poland in 1915, he moved to pre-state Palestine in 1935.

He served as prime minister for seven years, from 1983-84 and 1986-92. His term as prime minister was marked by the Palestinian uprising and the 1991 Gulf war, when Iraq fired 39 Scud missiles at Israel.