Gal Koren

Mar 31, 2002 - Gal Koren, 15, of Haifa was one of 15 people killed in a suicide bombing in Haifa, in the Matza restaurant of the gas station near the Grand Canyon shopping mall.

Just after 2:30 PM on Sunday afternoon, during the Passover holiday, the terrorist entered the popular Matza restaurant in the Neve Sha'anan district near the Grand Canyon mall. The explosion tore the roof off the one-story building, and blew out the windows, instantly killing 14 people, and leaving horrific scenes of people on fire, and people with lost limbs. Over 40 people were injured.

Gal Koren was having lunch at the Matza restaurant with his father, Shimon, and older brother, Ran. His mother Rachel was supposed to join them, but at the last minute backed out of the date. A few minutes before the explosion, Shimon called to ask if she wanted him to bring home some take-away. Ran was killed along with his father and brother.

Gal attended junior high the Reali school, considered Haifa's best. He was artistic and loved to draw.

Gal Koren was buried in Haifa alongside his father Shimon and brother Ran. He is survived by his mother Rachel.