In Jerusalem, Despair and Determination
People at the funeral said that even though they had grown used to suicide bombings, this one seemed different, and not just in numbers. The 32A bus is the only one that goes from Gilo to downtown Jerusalem, and is well known for carrying students.

"It's crazy someone could take responsibility for killing children on a bus," said Eliezer Cohen, 60.

Hamas, the Islamist group, claimed responsibility for the attack, saying that it was conducting a "war of buses" and that its bomber had proved Israel's defenses fruitless. In fact, many Israelis were angered today at their security forces' inability to prevent the Gilo bombing.
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/06/20/international/middleeast/20MOOD.html