Lieutenant Yoav Maliaev, who served as the deputy communications officer of Battalion 77, fell in battle at the Yiftach outpost near Israel’s southern border on October 7.
His father, Alex, shared in a Reshet Bet interview about his son’s determination to serve in a meaningful role — specifically in a place most would avoid. The grieving father also spoke about the note his son wrote for his loved ones just moments before he was killed — a note that was only discovered after his death. Even in the most difficult moments of the morning of October 7, Yoav insisted on encouraging and supporting everyone around him.
Alex shared the story of his late son’s military journey:
“Yoav enlisted in the IDF’s dedicated officers’ track in the Telecommunications and Cyber Defense Corps, despite having some health issues. He graduated the course with distinction, and although he could have chosen to serve anywhere — he asked to be placed in Battalion 77 of the Armored Corps. When asked why he chose a place no one else wanted, he said, ‘Because even in the places no one wants to be — good people are needed too.'”
