All Nepalis employed as caregivers in Israel are safe: Minister Saud

Foreign Minister NP Saud has said that continuous efforts are being made to keep Nepalis, who are at risk in Israel, in a safer place.

During a meeting of the International Relations and Tourism Committee of the House of Representatives held in Singha Durbar on Tuesday morning, Minister Saud said that 55 Nepalis have been relocated to a safer place with the help of Israel government on Monday.

He said that initiatives are being taken to keep other students, who are at risk, in a safer place.

Minister Saud said that 55 Nepalis—32 of Sudurpaschim University and 23 of Agriculture and Forest Science University—who have been taking refuge in a risky area in comparison to the southern part of Israel, have been relocated to a safer place.

He said that arrangements have also been made to keep some Nepalis, who are staying in the farm houses in the northern region, in the bunkers in a safe way.

Minister Saud further said that online registration has been started to collect details of the Nepalis, who want to return to Nepal, from the Nepali Embassy and more than 200 have been received so far.

The Minister said the aircrafts of Nepal Airlines and Himalaya Airlines are on standby to carry out rescue operations.

According to Minister Saud, coordination and facilitation are being made with the government of Israel to identify the actual situation of Nepalis and to rescue them.

Around 4,500 Nepalis are currently employed as caregivers in Israel. Additionally, there are 265 Nepali students studying there as part of the ‘Learn and Earn’ program of the Israeli government, Foreign Minister Saud had said in the Parliament meeting on Sunday.

Ten Nepali students enrolled in educational institutions in the southern region of Israel have lost their lives in the attack by Hamas on Israel.

According to Nepali Ambassador to Israel Kanta Rijal, the deceased have been identified as Narayan Prasad Neupane and Ashish Chaudhary of Kailali, Ganesh Kumar Nepali of Bajhang, Dipesh Raj Bist and Lokendra Singh Dhami of Darchula, Anand Sah of Dhanusha, Rajesh Kumar Swarnkar of Sunsari, Rajan Phulara of Doti, Padam Thapa and Prabesh Bhandari of Salyan.

Dhan Bahadur Chaudhary from Tikapur, Himanchal Kattel from Gorkha, and Bidhan Sejuwal from Salyan were injured in the attack. They are receiving treatment at a local hospital. Reports suggest that one of the injured is in a critical condition. A person is still missing.