Moran Shushan

March 11, 2003 - Moran Shushan, 20, of Haifa died of injuries suffered in the March 5 suicide bombing of an Egged bus, in which a total of 17 people were killed.

The bus was traveling on the city's main Moriah Boulevard near the Carmel Center, on the way to Haifa University, when the blast turned the bus into a charred wreck and scattered bodies along the road. The suicide bomber, who had boarded the bus, had the bomb strapped to his body, laden with metal shrapnel in order to maximize the number of injuries. A total of 17 people were killed and 53 injured.

Moran Shushan was on her way to visit a friend and suffered extensive burns and serious injuries to her lungs, heart and eyes in the explosion. She remained unconscious and succumbed to her wounds six days later.

Moran's twin sister Sivan said at her Rambam Hospital bedside: "I don't believe that Moran will die. She is resting now, but she is strong and will come back to us." Her mother Rachel, after hearing of the extent of her injuries from the doctors, only hoped that God would take pity on her and end her suffering.

Moran completed her studies at the Hannah Szenes ORT School in Haifa and then opted for National Service instead of army service, working as a medical secretary at a clinic in the city's Hadar neighborhood. Her family described her as a very sociable girl, who loved to dance, especially salsa. Her mother said, "Her matriculation mark was 90. Nobody is perfect but she was almost perfect. She was a wonderful girl with a big heart." Her sister Mira related how Moran's boyfriend would drive her everywhere. On the day of the bombing, he let her take the bus.

Moran Shushan was buried in Haifa. She is survived by her mother Rachel, her twin sister Sivan, and two older sisters - Mira and Sharona. Her father passed away several years ago.