The boy with the giant heart and strong roots: In memory of Sgt. Dolev Haim Malca
Sgt. Dolev Haim Malca, a combat soldier in the Kfir Brigade, fell in battle in the Gaza Strip on March 1, 2024, at just 19. Dolev, who grew up in a warm and loving home, left behind a devastated but proud family and fellow soldiers who carry his legacy with them every day.
A child of light and values
From the moment he was born, Dolev was a fighter. His mother, Sivan, recalls how, despite complications during his birth, he used every bit of oxygen he had to survive and make it into the world. At home, he was the protective older brother, mature beyond his years. His brother Amit describes the special bond between them: “It was as if we were twins who weren’t twins. We did everything together.”
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Dolev grew into a values-driven teenager with a “giant heart.” In ninth grade, he decided to volunteer with Magen David Adom, where he found purpose in helping others. His dream was clear: to serve as a combat soldier and make a meaningful contribution. He invested heavily in preparing for military service, including through the Aharai pre-military program, driven by a strong desire to contribute and protect others.
Pride in the Kfir Brigade
Although he had initially hoped to serve in the Golani Brigade, Dolev fell in love with the Kfir Brigade from the moment he arrived. He became a proud combat soldier in the Nahshon Battalion and maintained a mature outlook on service. When he was offered the chance to attend a squad commanders course, he insisted on first gaining experience on an operational deployment, believing that a good commander must understand the realities of the field firsthand.
On Oct. 7, while serving at the Gladiola outpost on the northern border, Dolev desperately wanted to reach the front in Gaza. “I’m a combat soldier. I came here to be a combat soldier,” he told his family. When the opportunity came, he left for the squad commanders course, and from there his path to Gaza was swift.
The final goodbye
The family’s last meeting with Dolev before he entered Gaza was seared into their memory as a farewell. In their final conversation, he promised his mother: “I’m asking you not to worry, Mom. I’m going in, bringing the hostages home and coming back.”
On March 1, 2024, during an operation to clear a building, Dolev’s force was struck by a powerful explosive device. Dolev fell in battle, leaving an enormous void behind.
A legacy of laughter and giving
His family, grappling with profound grief, has chosen to commemorate him through acts filled with life. His parents and brother have tattoos on their arms in his memory.
Within the brigade, Dolev’s name has also become a symbol. His fellow soldiers coined the phrase “Dolev mode” to describe a moment of relief and a smile in the midst of hardship, proof that Dolev’s spirit continues to guide them. His mother, Sivan, finds comfort in the fact that his corneas were transplanted into two other people. “Whoever sees through his corneas sees only good,” she said.
Dolev Haim Malca was like a tree with strong roots, a young man who believed in goodness, in fighting for home and in choosing life and laughter without compromise.
Sgt. Dolev Haim Malca, Kfir Brigade, fell on March 1, 2024. He was 19.
May his memory be a blessing.
Sergeant
Dolev Haim Malca