The nation of Israel mourned on Wednesday the death of former President and Prime Minister Shimon Peres, who died of stroke at the age of 93.
The entire world paid tribute to the leader who was celebrated globally as a Nobel Prize-winning visionary, who pushed his country toward peace during a remarkable seven-decade career.
Host of world leaders, including US President Barack Obama, former President Bill Clinton, French President Francois Hollande and a group of foreign ministers are expected to attend the funeral on Friday.
According to media reports, Hillary Clinton is unlikely to attend the final journey of Peres, as she is busy campaigning for the upcoming U.S. elections.
Peres' body would be kept at the Israeli parliament for the public to pay the final tributes on Thursday.
The Israeli government ordered Jewish state flag to half-staff at all government institutions, military bases and police stations to mourn the death of the former leader.
The government has also announced that chopper services from Mount Herzl will be available to allow easier access for visiting dignitaries.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a special meeting with his cabinet, where he praised Peres despite their deep ideological differences.
"Shimon devoted his life to our nation and to the pursuit of peace," he said.
"As Israel's president, Shimon did so much to unite the nation. And the nation loved him for it," he added.
Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas also issued a statement paying his condolences over Peres' death.
He called Peres "a partner in making the peace of the brave" along with the late Palestinian leaders Yasser Arafat and Rabin.
All three men shared the 1994 Nobel Peace Prize for negotiating the Oslo interim peace accord which aimed at achieving a peace-treaty based on the UNSC resolutions and to fulfill the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination.
In Gaza Strip, the ruling Hamas militant group called Peres "the last remaining Israeli official who founded the occupation."
"His death is the end of a phase in the history of this occupation and the beginning of a new phase of weakness," said Sami Abu Zuhri, a spokesman for the group.
