Yoav was a young man of bravery, valour and sweetness. His presence on this earth was a blessing and he gave with all his heart to his friends and family. Losing Yoav is a heartbreaking loss.
Yoav was smart, funny, sweet and courageous. He loved his family, his girlfriend and his country. He gave his all to everything he did..ultimately he gave his life to his country and his people. His life was a blessing…may his memory be one too.
Yoav Malayev, a beacon of valor and compassion, was the beloved son of Maya Cohen-Malayev, who made aliyah from Montreal, Canada at the age of twenty-three, and Alex Malayev, who was born in Samarkand and immigrated to Israel as a baby. Yoav lovingly guided his younger siblings Talya, Avner, and Harel with a deep sense of responsibility. As the devoted boyfriend of Einav, he epitomized loyalty in every aspect of his life.
Yoav pursued studies in psychology and physics, combining sharp intellect with genuine empathy. After graduating with distinction from officer training, he joined the seventy-seventh Oz Battalion of the Seventh Brigade, an armored unit operating Merkava Mark Four tanks, where he served as deputy battalion communication and cyber officer.
On the morning of October seventh, Yoav and five comrades faced approximately twenty terrorists. With unparalleled courage, Yoav led them in battle, an act that saved the lives of over seventy soldiers and civilians and prevented the conquest of the Yiftach base.
Before his heroic sacrifice, Yoav wrote a moving note, describing those twenty minutes of battle as the best of his life and ending with the words, “I will be thinking of you always. I love you.” In the same journal, he recorded reflections on resilience, sharing six principles, including maintaining composure in adversity, setting an example, striving for excellence, adapting, and persevering.
Yoav’s legacy lives on, inspiring countless people with his love, dedication, and unwavering spirit.
** 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/ ***
Yoav was a young man of bravery, valour and sweetness. His presence on this earth was a blessing and he gave with all his heart to his friends and family. Losing Yoav is a heartbreaking loss.
Yoav was smart, funny, sweet and courageous. He loved his family, his girlfriend and his country. He gave his all to everything he did..ultimately he gave his life to his country and his people. His life was a blessing…may his memory be one too.