Oz’s Story

Hugs for Israel Visits 12-year-old Victim of Jerusalem Bus Bombing

The devastating suicide bombing of Jerusalem bus #14 on February 21, 2004 left one high school student dead and many others wounded as they were en route to their various schools. Nine of those seriously wounded and hospitalized were from the same school….the same school that the student who was killed attended.

Hugs for Israel was able to make contact and visit with some of the young victims while in the hospital. Later, Hugs visited with some of them and their families in their homes. The following is the account of one of those visits.

Oz, a handsome 12-year-old avid soccer player, was on his way to school and sitting together with his best friend on the #14 bus. When the suicide bomber detonated his bomb ripping the bus apart, Oz. was blown out of the bus and a large near fatal hole was blown in his head. He has had extensive surgery and requires more. In addition, another student from his school was killed and eight others also wounded. While visiting the family, the mother said Oz had since become very withdrawn and full of anger and can’t sleep at night. Less than three years earlier, one of Oz’s uncles was killed in a terrorist shooting attack in another part of the country. After some time of making small talk and attempting to draw Oz. into the conversation, suddenly I turned to him and said, “You know, Oz when I leave, I’m going to have to give you a big hug.” He then turned to his mother and said, “We don’t have to wait until then.” At that point, we just kind of melted into a big warm hug, he began to smile and the ice was broken. The mother was beaming as she said, “I’m so glad you came. Now there is JOY in the house again.” Praise the LORD for His Tender Mercies!