The women who run toward the bombs: Israel's first responders

In the new web series ‘Through the Land,’ we meet Shir and Naomi, who, every time there is disaster in Israel, are among those who run into the fire to save lives

Shir is a medical student who spends her free time volunteering with Lev Echad (One Heart). In Israel and around the world, when rockets, earthquakes or other disasters leave families with wrecked homes, she shows up to help clear the rubble and salvage what can be saved — often within hours.

Naomi, a veteran United Hatzalah medic, has rushed to forest fires, rocket strikes and terror scenes where every second mattered. On October 7, 2023, she was among the first to arrive, facing devastation that even years of experience could not prepare her for. For Naomi, each call means entering a site where nothing is certain — whether the danger has truly passed, how many are hurt, or what she’ll find when she steps inside.

In this episode of “Through the Land,” Shir and Naomi discuss their experiences as first responders while walking and guiding us through the impact site of an Iranian ballistic missile strike, filmed days after it hit.

No one was hurt, but the blast damaged buildings for blocks around. While for many the scene is reminiscent of an adventure tale, for emergency workers such as Shir and Naomi, it’s just another day in the life of those who save the lives of others.

Read here about the drone-filmed web series “Through the Land,” created in cooperation with The Times of Israel.