Cpl. Liron Avitan

Jun 5, 2002 - Cpl. Liron Avitan, 19, of Hadera, was one of 17 people killed when a car packed with a large quantity of explosives struck Egged bus No. 830 traveling from Tel-Aviv to Tiberias at the Megiddo junction near Afula.

The attack took place at about 7:15 in the morning. The force of the explosion lifted the bus into the air, and reduced the car carrying the bomb to charred metal. The car exploded near the gasoline tank of the bus, causing it to burst into flames. Most of the casualties were soldiers who were on their way to their bases. The Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the attack.

Cpl. Liron Avitan was on her way to the Shimshon army base, for the last day of a course. She took the bus early in the morning, after going to the local grocery to buy chocolate milk for her younger siblings. "She was like a mother to her younger sister and brother and supported the family in difficult moments, of which there were many," relatives said yesterday of Liron. Liron's younger brother, Matan, was seriously injured in an accident a few years ago. "She helped in every way possib

Cpl. Liron Avitan was buried in the military cemetery in Hadera. She is survived by her parents, Sami and Paulette, her brothers Dudu (21) and Matan (14), and her sister Hila (17).