As the soldiers opened the door of their flaming armored vehicle to escape, they found a terrorist standing directly in front of them with another RPG aimed at the vehicle.

By Hezy Laing

On the morning of October 7th, Moshe Markvik, an American born IDF medic in the Nahal Reconnaissance Brigade, woke up expecting an ordinary morning.

That calm ended abruptly when missiles and rockets filled the sky.

His platoon immediately understood their mission: take cover, mobilize, and defend the surrounding kibbutzim and neighborhoods.

They boarded an armored vehicle and left the base, but their movement was cut short when two RPGs struck the vehicle.

Flames engulfed it, rendering it useless.

As the soldiers opened the door to escape, they found a terrorist standing directly in front of them with another RPG aimed at the vehicle.

By a miracle, the launcher jammed. Although they were fully exposed and in range, the team managed to eliminate the attacker before he could fire.

Moshe, the medic, was the last to take cover. In the chaos, he was hit—one bullet in his arm and another in his leg.

Yet adrenaline and responsibility drove him forward. He didn’t even realize he had been shot; his only focus was treating wounded soldiers and civilians.

That unawareness, he says, allowed him to save lives when every second mattered. For him, that is the greatest miracle of the day.

Throughout the ordeal, Moshe didn’t believe he would survive.

He concentrated solely on helping as many people as possible.

The strength that carried him through came from his belief that no one stands alone, and that his people remain united no matter what they face.

When he reached the hospital, a doctor immediately took him in, calmed him, and promised to stay with him and ensure he received proper care. The doctor still calls him before holidays, checking in to make sure he is well.

To Moshe, this kindness reflects the warmth and unity of Israelis.

After October 7th, Moshe felt wounded and hopeless. But seeing thousands of reservists leave their families to protect the country restored his faith.

Today, he turns his pain into light—sharing his story and expressing his experiences through music, which has always helped him hold onto hope and move forward.