Gedaliah Mellick was born in Jerusalem on June 13, 1980, to Penina and Simcha Mellick. He grew up in Kiryat Arba and studied at the Hebron Talmud Torah and the local religious school.
As a teenager, Gedaliah was a Bnei Akiva counselor and volunteered with marginalized youth in underserved neighborhoods. He later joined the Gesher movement, promoting connection and understanding between religious and secular communities. In 1998–1999, he studied at the pre-military leadership academy in Ma’ayan Baruch in the Upper Galilee, where he connected with the Golani project. In November 1999, he enlisted in the Golani Brigade’s 51st Battalion.
Before Operation Defensive Shield in March 2002, Gedaliah immediately volunteered for service with his unit, which was deployed on the front lines in Ramallah. During a mission, he entered a computer room, inspected terminals, and dismantled drives containing critical intelligence exposing ties between the Palestinian Authority and terror activities.
A poet, writer, pianist, and computer expert, Gedaliah described himself as a humanitarian fighter who always strove to avoid harming innocents. He was killed on April 9, 2002, in Jenin, when Palestinian fire struck a grenade he was carrying during Operation Defensive Shield.
Gedaliah is buried on Mount Herzl. He is survived by his parents, two brothers, and a sister.
**The information on this page is part of the “Yizkor” commemoration project by the Ministry of Defense/the ‘La’ad’ website by the National Insurance Institute, in memory of the fallen.
We strive for accuracy and apologize for any errors. For corrections or comments, please contact us here: https://aaciremembers.org/contact-us/**
