Ivan Gaptoniak

Jan 5, 2003 - Ivan Gaptoniak, 46, of Ukraine, was one of 23 people killed when two suicide bombers blew themselves up on a pedestrian mall in Tel Aviv's Naveh Sha'anan neighborhood near the old central bus station.

Fatah's Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades claimed responsibility for the attack, which apparently was assisted by Islamic Jihad.

Ivan Gaptoniak lived with friends in an apartment some 150 meters from the site of the explosions and was on his way home from work when he was killed in the attack. His girlfriend, Mira, was lightly wounded and was asked to identify his body when she was released from the hospital.

Gaptoniak came to Israel three-and-a-half years ago after working for nearly 30 years as a bus driver in Ukraine. He began working in Israel as a laborer for a remodeling contractor and lately as a cleaning worker in a restaurant.

"He was a good guy, and never made problems," said Alex Rozanovsky, a friend who worked with him in remodeling. "He loved the country very much."

Ivan Gaptoniak's body was flown home to Ukraine for burial. He is survived by two sons, 24 and 18, who live in Ukraine.