Sgt.-Maj. Gad Shemesh

Mar 21, 2002 - Sgt.-Maj. Gad Shemesh, 34, of Jerusalem, was one of three people killed and 86 injured when a suicide bomber detonated a bomb, packed with metal spikes and nails, in the center of a crowd of shoppers on King George Street in the center of Jerusalem.

On Thursday afternoon, Gadi accompanied his wife Tzipi, in her fifth month of pregnancy, for an ultrasound exam. There they learned, but never lived to tell, that Tzipi was carrying twins. On leaving the medical clinic, they passed next to the terrorist who blew himself up. Tzipi was killed instantly; Gad Shemesh died shortly afterwards in hospital.

Tzipi and Gadi met eight years ago through a common friend. They were married in Jerusalem. About three months ago they moved to the Pisgat Ze'ev neighborhood. According to relatives, they had a lot of plans for the future, they loved each other and their two daughters.

Gad served as a warrant officer at the Tel-Hashomer army base.

Sgt.-Maj. Gad Shemesh was buried in the Mount Herzl military cemetery, alongside his wife Tzipi. They left behind their two daughters - Shoval (7) and Shahar (3). Gad is survived also by his mother, Bracha, and seven brothers and sisters.