Nawa Hinawi

May 7, 2002 - Nawa Hinawi, 51, of Tel-Aviv was one of 15 people killed when a suicide bomber detonated a powerful charge in a game club located on the 3rd floor of a building in Rishon Lezion, causing part of the building to collapse. Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack.

At about 11:00 PM, the terrorist entered the unlicensed Sheffield Club with a suitcase of explosives, spiked with shrapnels and nails to cause maximum injury. The patrons were trying their luck at slot machines, card games or snooker. 15 were killed, and 55 wounded in the blast.

Nawa Hinawi, a hairdresser, had gone to the Sheffield Club with two of her friends. She and Regina Boslan were killed; the other friend was severely injured.

The Hinawi family is a well-known Christian Arab family from Jaffa which owned many stores and an import business. Nawa's dream of becoming a grandmother soon, when both her daughters-in-law were to give birth, was cut short when she was killed in the blast.

Chairman of the Orthodox Council in Jaffa, Yusuf Dik, said: "There is no difference today between Jews, Muslims and Christians. We are all victims of terrorism, victims of hatred. We pray that Nawa will be the last terror victim."

Nawa Hinawi was buried in the Greek Orthodox cemetery in Jaffa. Thousands came from all parts of the country to attend the funeral. She is survived by nine brothers and sisters, and three sons - Elias (29), Basra (27) and Fadi (14).