Malkia Gross

Son of Michal and Dov Haim. He was born on the 11th of Elul, 5758 (September 2, 1998), in the community of Susya in the Hebron Hills. Brother to five – Benaiah, Noya, Aviah, Achiah, and Odiah.

Malkia grew up and was educated in Susya. He studied at the Susya elementary school and at the “Torah and Science” yeshiva high school, located on the campus of the Lev Academic Center in Jerusalem. He studied in the yeshiva’s academic track through grade 13 and completed his studies with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the Lev Academic Center.

From a young age, he stood out for his intelligence, wit, and joy for life. He was very sociable, possessed original and creative thinking, and aspired to make the most of every moment, embracing every challenge and adventure.

During his studies, Malkia was active for several years in the Bnei Akiva youth movement, where he served as a district coordinator at the movement’s summer camp. When offered a more senior role, he declined, as he valued the direct connection with the youth. With his sensitivity and sharp wit, he connected with boys and girls alike, impressing and entertaining them by demonstrating his rollerblading skills and his beatboxing abilities (creating rhythm and music using the mouth).

Through his close relationships with them, he realized that many young people were unfamiliar with the history of Zionism and sought to make the subject accessible to them. Together with a friend, he created a podcast called “Interesting, Grandma,” in which they discussed various issues in the history of the Land of Israel in a humorous and engaging manner.

After completing his studies at the yeshiva high school, he began studying at the Or Etzion Yeshiva near Kiryat Malachi, where he continued learning until he fell in battle in Rafah (7th-year class). His teachers described him as an outstanding student who loved Torah and always strove to deepen and expand his learning.

In 2020, he enlisted in the Israel Defense Forces במסגרת the Or Etzion Hesder Yeshiva and served in the Armored Corps as a tank driver in Battalion 75 (“Romach”) of Brigade 7 (“Sa’ar MiGolan”).

After his discharge from the army, he returned to study at the Or Etzion Yeshiva and dreamed of getting married and starting a family.

He deliberated whether to continue along the path he had paved for himself as a graduate in Computer Science and seek a career in high-tech, but ultimately realized that his calling was in education. “Money is money,” he said, “but I want something with more soul.”

He enrolled in an academic retraining program for teaching, began teaching mathematics, and despite being only at the beginning of his path, earned great love and appreciation from his students.

Throughout his life, from his high school years through his work as a teacher, Malkia was engaged in positive action, volunteering and giving of himself for others. In the 10th grade, he began volunteering with the Zichron Menachem organization, assisting and supporting children with cancer, and served as a highly active volunteer for about ten years. Whenever he had the opportunity, he would visit the children in hospitals, speak with them, make them laugh, and bring smiles to their faces.

With the outbreak of the attack, Malkia was called up from the Or Etzion Yeshiva to reserve duty and was assigned to Armored Battalion 9212 of Brigade 205 (“Iron Fist”). Due to the needs of the brigade, he underwent emergency training as an armored personnel carrier (APC) driver and initially served in that role. After about a month and a half, at his request and in accordance with the brigade’s needs, he returned to his original role as a tank driver.

For many months, Malkia fought on the northern border, where the fighting had spread from the very first day. At a certain point, he was released, and in early June 2024, he was again called up for reserve duty for the ground maneuver in the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.

“I am fighting so that the residents of the western Negev and the northern border communities can return to their homes safely,” he told his father, “and to ensure that the deaths of the fallen will not be in vain.”

His battalion commander, Lieutenant Colonel Assaf, noted that the maneuver in Rafah was an extremely challenging mission that involved dealing with complex terrain and harsh weather conditions, and testified that Malkia carried out his duties with professionalism and determination.

“Malkia was loved by all. He knew how to integrate quickly into any framework he joined and to maintain his values even when connecting with those whose lifestyle and views were different from his own,” the battalion commander recounted. “His dedication, perseverance, and desire to help others were evident in all his actions, and his courage was expressed in the reality of his life.”

Even during the demanding months of reserve duty, Malkia continued to volunteer with the Zichron Menachem organization. Whenever he had a short break from the fighting, even before returning home, he would stop at a hospital to visit the hospitalized children.

In the 2024 annual summary of the Zichron Menachem organization, Malkia ranked first in the number of volunteer hours in the Southern District. This was despite the fact that he fell in battle באמצע השנה and had been in reserve service until the time of his death.

On Saturday, June 22, 2024, during a battle against terrorists in the city of Rafah, Malkia was hit and killed.

Sergeant First Class Malkia Gross fell in battle on the 16th of Sivan, 5784 (June 22, 2024). He was twenty-five years old at the time of his death. He was laid to rest at the military cemetery on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem.

May his memory be a blessing.