Malawians living in Israel have stated that they are safe after Tuesday night ballistic missile attack by Iran.
International media reported that few of the about 200 missiles fired by Iran managed to hit central and southern parts of Israel as the rest were intercepted by Israeli mobile defence mechanism, popularly known as Iron Dome and the US.
In separate interviews yesterday, Malawians living and working in parts of Tel Aviv and Ashkelon said they were safe and not affected by the attacks.
Wallace Mhango, a Malawian youth working in Ramat Gan City east of Tel Aviv, said like any other Israeli citizen, Malawians get access to any information concerning attacks through their employers and even the media.
He said once they hear sirens, they take cover in the available bomb shelters within their reach and located almost everywhere.
“So far I have not heard of anyone from Malawi being affected. What I can say is that for now we feel safe and we are safe,” said Mhango.
Another youth Nelson Tambala, who is working in Ashkelon, a coastal city in the Southern District which is 50 kilometres (km) south of Tel Aviv and 13 km north of the border with the Gaza Strip, indicated that the situation for him and other Malawians had returned to normalcy as Tuesday’s attack lasted only 30 minutes.
He said there was no panic among them as everyone received wireless emergency alerts on their phones, 10 minutes before the missiles were landed.
Malawi Society in Israel president Austin Chipeta, who lives in Ramat Gan, described the situation as tense on Tuesday as Tel Aviv was under siege but said he received no report that any Malawians were affected.
He said there are about 1 600 Malawians living in various parts of Tel Aviv who are working and pursuing education.
Chipeta said a great number of Malawians live at Hatkiva compound, a place named after the Israeli national anthem, which according to him resembles Lilongwe’s Area 18.
He said: “The missiles were mostly targeted at military bases in Hatzerim. But as you can see from this footage I have taken in the streets, life has returned to normal here.
“This is Tel Aviv’s main bus station and shopping mall where people are going about their businesses. But the alarms can be triggered any moment and once that happens, we run into the shelters for cover.”
In a written response yesterday, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Charles Nkhalamba said Malawians in Israel are safe, but pleaded for continued vigilance.
He said the Malawi Embassy in Tel Aviv is in constant touch with Malawians that are working or studying in Israel through WhatsApp groups, other social media platforms and through a 24-hour helpline direct to embassy staff for any requests or issues.
International media reports that this was Iran’s second such attack on Israel this year, after it launched about 300 missiles and drones in April.
