Sa-ada Aharon

Oct 10, 2002 - Sa'ada Aharon, 71, of Ramat Gan was killed and about 30 people were wounded when a suicide bomber blew himself up while trying to board Dan bus No. 87 across from Bar-Ilan University on the Geha highway (Route 4).

The bomber, who was trying to board the bus via the rear door, fell when the driver closed the doors. The driver, thinking he was an innocent passenger, got off the bus with another passenger to help him. When they discovered he had an explosive belt strapped to his waist, they gripped his hands to prevent him from detonating it, and shouted to the passengers on the packed bus to flee. Once the passengers were out of range, they released the bomber's hands and ran, for fear that the bomb would go off. The bomber then blew himself up.

Sa'ada Aharon, who lived nearby, had just boarded the bus traveling from Petah Tikva to Tel Hashomer for medical tests when the bomber detonated the charge. She was mortally wounded and pronounced dead at the hospital.

Sa'ada, who immigrated to Israel from Yemen 50 years ago,, was devoted to her children and grandchildren. One granddaughter, Moran (14), said: "She was the best grandmother. We would go to her house to eat and to sleep. She didn't look at all old - she had a pretty face, and always wore colorful scarves."

Sa'ada Aharon was buried in Rosh Ha'ayin. She is survived by her husband Yihye, three children - Uri, Amnon and Yona - and 15 grandchildren.