Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's eyelids moved and he appeared to have opened his eyes,the Ha'aretz daily said on Monday, quoting members of Sharon's family.

Officials of Hadassah Hospital, however, said the significance of the observation was unclear.

The hospital, which at first denied the report, later issued a statement saying that family members had interpreted "eyelid movements" as an opening of Sharon's eyes, adding that the "medical significance is unclear at this stage."

Aides to the prime minister described the movement of Sharon's eyes as an involuntary action that did not mean his coma had ended."It's a reflex action...You can tell that the pupils don't follow anything," one aide said.

However, Army Radio reported family members at Sharon's bedside had observed his eyes appearing to follow movements in the room.

Sharon, whose doctors began trying last week to bring him out of a state of a medically induced coma, still has shown no significant signs of coming around.