In the harrowing days following Oct. 7, a date seared into the collective memory of Israel, the Field Medical Rescue Company (PLMR) found itself at the forefront of an unfolding tragedy and an escalating war. This elite unit, specializing in the evacuation and treatment of wounded soldiers, was thrust into action amidst chaos and devastation.
When photojournalist Chen Schimmel, who had been documenting the aftermath of the massacre, turned her camera on the PLMR after Oct. 7, she wasn’t only recording a unit at war. She was searching for something deeper – the inner strength and fighting spirit that allows young men and women to run into chaos and hold their ground.
Her photographs, featured in her forthcoming book Oct. 7: Bearing Witness, capture the courage in a soldier’s stance, the resilience in a medic’s steady hands, the quiet determination in a commander’s eyes. “I wanted to show not just what happened, but who these people are,” Schimmel explains. “Their humanity – their strength in the face of unbearable difficulty.”
The PLMR, composed of combat soldiers and medical professionals, was reinforced following Oct. 7. “These are not new units,” explains Elyashiv, the company’s commander. “Our company joined parallel units that have been active for years, including during operations like Protective Edge.
But after Oct. 7, we were brought together quickly to address the scale of what we were facing.” The PLMR operates as a tightly coordinated team, with its soldiers and medics working side by side. Elyashiv describes its structure: “The company is divided into three sections. Each section includes combatants and medical personnel, with both men and women in every role. We have male and female combat soldiers, medics, paramedics, and doctors. Our team is incredibly diverse, both in skills and gender.”
Notably, the unit’s command staff is predominantly female, still considered a rarity in such roles. In the initial days after the attack, the PLMR faced not only logistical challenges but also immense psychological strain. “You hear something over the radio, you know there are casualties, and you’re already moving,” Elyashiv notes.
“Everyone switch es instantly from a state of routine to being 100% focused on the mission.” He described the clarity his soldiers needed: “When a call comes, you don’t think. You’re already moving.” Schimmel’s images translate those words into a visual language of urgency, focus, devotion. Through her art, the technical becomes emotional, the routine becomes heroic.
Uncertainty was a constant. “At first, we didn’t know what missions we’d face,” Elyashiv says. “Over time, we learned how to perform our tasks most effectively. There’s something very clear-cut about having a mission like ours: treating the wounded. You see the importance of your work right in front of you, and that clarity helps you push through.”
The PLMR’s work is grueling, with moments that leave lasting impressions on the soldiers. “Two types of events stand out,” Elyashiv reflects. “Large-scale incidents with many casualties are chaotic, figuring out how many are injured, their conditions, and how to manage them. And then there are times when we receive only the dead. That’s the hardest. Unlike treating the wounded, where you have hope your actions will save lives, there’s nothing more you can do for the fallen except to honor them. Those moments are deeply etched into our memories.”
It was within this scenario that Chen Schimmel embedded herself with the PLMR. Known for her unflinching ability to document human resilience, Schimmel was already working in the Gaza envelope following the Oct. 7 attack. Her work focused on telling the stories of those on the frontlines, often witnessing scenes of camaraderie, determination, and the quiet heartbreak accompanying acts of heroism.
Through her lens, she sought to portray the PLMR’s ethos and unwavering dedication to their mission, regardless of the conditions. The PLMR’s mission brought them face-to-face not only with wounded soldiers but also with captured Hamas terrorists. Elyashiv acknowledges the emotional toll this took on his team.
“It’s a complex and difficult situation,” he says. “Some soldiers said, ‘I can’t do this.’ We never forced anyone. Those who could manage reminded themselves that treating a terrorist might ultimately help bring back our hostages or even the remains of fallen soldiers. Despite the difficulty, we saw the bigger picture.”
The PLMR’s mixed-gender composition has been a point of pride for Elyashiv. “I came from an all-male infantry unit, and the dynamic here is completely different,” he notes. “The motivation of our female soldiers is incredible, and it’s contagious. Their presence brings balance and strength to the team. I trust them 200%, even in the most challenging conditions.”
He later jokingly adds that his company profited from other units’ reluctance to enroll female combatants since they were missing out on what he deems to be some of the most focused, professional personnel he had the chance to work with.
Elyashiv dismisses criticisms of mixed-gender units affecting operational competence. “Anyone who says that hasn’t served in a unit like this,” he asserts. “We’ve been fortunate to have some of the most capable and motivated soldiers, both male and female. They give everything they have without hesitation.”
In Oct. 7: Bearing Witness, she brings that future into focus. The PLMR is one story among many; she followed the attacks, soldiers, survivors, rescuers- all bound by the same thread of resilience. But here, through her lens, the courage of a rescue unit becomes a portrait of a nation’s spirit: broken, tested, but unyielding.
What gives her photographs their power is the balance she sees: the steel of discipline alongside the fragility of youth, the weight of duty alongside moments of compassion. As the war rages on, Elyashiv reflects on the resilience of his young soldiers. “Many of them were discharged less than a year ago. They’re just 20-somethings, but they show extraordinary dedication. Watching them, I have immense hope for the future of our country. In 10 years, these are the people who will lead Israel.”
The PLMR’s story, captured through Schimmel’s lens, reminds us that even in the face of unimaginable tragedy, some rise to the occasion, driven by duty and an unwavering commitment to their fellow human beings.