Natalia Gamril

Jan 29, 2004 - Natalia Gamril, 53, of Jerusalem was one of 11 people killed in a suicide bombing on a no. 19 Egged bus at the corner of Gaza and Arlozorov streets in Jerusalem.

Bus no. 19 starts its route at Hadassah Ein Kerem and makes its way through the center of Jerusalem to Hadassah Hospital and the Hebrew University on Mount Scopus. The bomber was in the back of the bus when he detonated the explosives as the bus drove up Gaza Street. The blast tore apart the bus, turning it into a twisted wreck. The back half of the roof was blown into the air and every window was blown out. In addition, over 50 people were wounded, 13 of them seriously. Both the Fatah-related Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades and Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack.

Natalia Gamril immigrated to Israel from St. Petersburg in 1993 with her husband Boris and their daughter Svetlana, who now works as a teacher. The mother and daughter lived together in Kiryat Yovel. Natalia was on her way to her job taking care of an elderly woman when she was killed. Svetlana spoke of her mother: "She was a wonderful mother. She loved to take walks and to read. She was a very sociable person."

Natalia Gamril was buried on Kibbutz Revadim. She is survived by her husband Boris, her daughter Svetlana, and twin sister, who lives in Russia.