Eliyahu Timsit

Jun 5, 2002 - Eliyahu Timsit, 35, of Tel-Aviv, 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.

Eliyahu (Eliko) Timsit, the 17th victim of the attack, was identified only in December 2002, in the wake of the preparation of a documentary film about the unidentified Megiddo victim. The film showed two sketches of possible victims, which were published in the press. A taxicab driver recognized Timsit, recalling that he had asked him to drive him to Tel Aviv the day of the attack. Timsit had apparently taken the bus north, planning to camp out at the Sea of Galilee. He had promised to return on Friday to take his ailing mother to the doctor, but never arrived. His family did not suspect that he was killed in the bombing and continued to search for him.

Eliyahu had been unemployed for the past several years, and had been living with his girlfriend in Jerusalem until their recent separation. His mother, Zahava, to whom he was devoted, passed away in July after a long illness.

Eliyahu Timsit, who had been buried anonymously in Ashkelon, was laid to rest in Sderot alongside his mother. He is survived by his father Michael, six sisters and a brother.