St.-Sgt. Netanel Havshush

Feb 22, 2004 - St.-Sgt. Netanel Havshush, 20, of Jerusalem was one of eight persons murdered and more than 60 wounded by a Palestinian suicide bomber on a No. 14A Egged bus opposite the capital's Liberty Bell Park.

The attack took place at about 8:30 a.m. as the crowded, rush-hour bus was making its way downtown. The Fatah Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades claimed responsibility for the attack, which was carried out by Muhammad Za'ul, from the Bethlehem area. He had boarded the bus undetected and was overlooked by two security inspectors who boarded after him and alighted before he detonated the explosives he was carrying in a backback.

St.-Sgt. Netanel Havshush was returning from home leave to his base at Netzarim in the Gaza Strip when he was murdered. Havshush was drafted 18 months ago and volunteered for the Givati Brigade. "Netanel served at Netzarim, but he wasn't at all afraid," said his brother, Oded.

"Netanel was the happiest kid in the world," his brother continued, "he never stopped pulling stunts and always lifted everyone's morale. He loved life and loved the army, really was stuck on it, and was fearless."

St.-Sgt. Netanel Havshush was buried at the Mount Herzl Military Cemetery. He is survived by his parents, Bracha and Yair, a sister, and two brothers.