Editor's note: On June 13, the Israeli Defense Forces launched a large-scale air strike against Iran with the code name "Operation Lion Power," causing significant damage to Iran's key facilities and military decision-making bodies. Subsequently, Iran retaliated using ballistic missiles and other equipment. As of now, the standoff between both sides is still ongoing, with the fire showing signs of escalating further. In response, China is organizing the evacuation of its citizens in Israel and Iran.

Looking at Israel itself, major cities such as Tel Aviv and Haifa are suffering from one missile attack after another from Iran. The local residents are experiencing losses they have never experienced before but are not unfamiliar with; while in places where the war has not yet spread and out of the mainstream media's focus, what is the situation for the people there? Observer Network contacted a Chinese expatriate named Hu Ya who is temporarily living in southern Israel on the 17th.

Observer Network: On the first day of Iran's counterattack against Israel, where were you? Could you describe your initial feelings and response when you heard about the attacks?

Hu Ya: I live in southern Israel, which is some distance away from Tel Aviv and Haifa, where the current main firepower is concentrated. At present, Iranian missiles have not directly fallen near our area.

In fact, we began to worry when Israel attacked Iran. That night, on Thursday late at night and Friday early morning, my mobile app and the air raid siren went off simultaneously, waking me up from sleep. I was completely stunned and stood there dazed for a moment before quickly getting up. Because I was so anxious, I forgot to turn on the lights and had to find clothes in the dark, putting them on hastily and running to the bomb shelter—everyone looked disheveled at that time. We stayed in the bomb shelter for about 20 minutes until the alert ended and then went back home. However, about an hour later, the alarm sounded again, and we ran back to the bomb shelter.

We didn't know what was happening at that point and hadn't realized the severity of the situation. Before this, there was an incident where Houthi missiles hit Tel Aviv, and we dealt with it similarly. After returning from the bomb shelter this time, various messages started coming in, saying that Israel had attacked Iran and Iran might retaliate proportionally, and the early warning was to make everyone vigilant.

After I returned home, I tried to sleep, but I couldn't because the sound of fighter jets constantly flying overhead kept ringing in my ears.

Residents of Tel Aviv taking refuge in shelters. Photo: Reuters

Observer Network: Not long after, Iran's counterattack officially began. Have you been in a state of high tension over these past few days?

Hu Ya: On the first day of Iran's retaliation, we were very tense. A group of friends predicted that Iranian missiles would come that night, so we gathered together. I saw the reflection of the interception of Iranian missiles in the air through my window and then went outside to see. At that time, everyone was in a daze, watching the missiles fly by, and exclamations could be heard nonstop because none of us had ever seen such a scene in real life. Over the next few days, Iranian missiles generally arrived around eight in the evening and lasted until ten, and after three waves, people started to sleep.

For us, the most distressing part was when missiles suddenly came in the middle of the night when everyone was sound asleep. Once, a friend of mine went out at one in the morning and noticed a missile about to land. He thought it was very close to us, but neither our mobile app nor the air raid siren sounded. So he ran around shouting to get everyone into the bomb shelter. After we ran to the bomb shelter, the alarm system still didn't go off. The next day's news said that there was a technical malfunction in the early warning system that night, but it has since been fixed. Now, thinking back, it was quite frightening.

After a few days, I even wanted to just stay in the bomb shelter, so I wouldn't have to constantly worry about hearing the alarm or worrying that the alarm system might fail.

Iranian state television broadcast footage of Iran's missile strikes on Israel on the evening of the 14th.

Observer Network: Has the Israeli government released any guidance on how to respond to incoming missiles? For example, informing the public about shelters and advising what preparations should be made in advance?

Hu Ya: There indeed are some guidance materials, and I have noticed that there are many bomb shelters nearby.

In terms of warnings, there is a three-level warning mechanism. Specifically, when a missile launch is detected, a reminder is sent to everyone's phones; about 10 minutes before the missile arrives, another reminder is sent; if the missile is about 1.5 minutes away from your location, the air raid siren will sound.

Now, most people around me go to the bomb shelter during the second warning, but some choose to keep sleeping and only move when the air raid siren sounds. Actually, in recent days, I rarely hear the air raid siren being activated; most of the time, there are only the first two warnings.

Air raid sirens sounded across multiple locations in Israel.

Observer Network: Besides that, how else has the daily lives of the locals been affected?

Hu Ya: People stock up on supplies appropriately, including bottled water, meat, and other food items. I buy everything online and still receive it on time; some people go shopping in the city during the day. I haven't seen any instances of hoarding yet.

Many locals are experiencing their first large-scale, prolonged aerial assault. Initially, they still trusted Israel's anti-aircraft capabilities; however, after seeing Iranian missiles successfully hit Tel Aviv and Haifa, and hearing rumors that Iran intended to attack Israel's nuclear research center, a certain level of panic arose among them, such as concerns about possible nuclear leaks, and local areas began to shut down schools and businesses. Since the region we are in is not a primary target for Iran's attacks, some activities have recently begun to normalize.

Observer Network: Are you considering temporarily leaving Israel? Currently, the battlefield shows signs of further expansion, and the Chinese Embassy in Israel issued a notice on the 16th reminding Chinese citizens in Israel to quickly leave via land border crossings or depart as soon as possible.

Hu Ya: Only a few people want to or are preparing to leave, while most have not taken action yet. In fact, most of the people from other countries and regions around me are still living normally.

Some may still believe that the conflict between Israel and Iran won't reach their own remote corners for now, so they are still观望; others don't know how to evacuate—flights have been suspended, some buses have stopped operating, and those without cars find it difficult to reach the departure points. Finding private cars at the moment can easily lead to being overcharged.

Observer Network: Today also came the news that China is rapidly organizing the evacuation of its citizens in Iran and Israel.

Hu Ya: Yes, actually, we have already prepared for some contingencies, ready to leave if necessary.

Observer Network: Thank you for accepting our interview, take care!

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