Submit your Article

Hamas militants on Saturday released 17 hostages, including 13 Israelis, from captivity in the Gaza Strip, while Israel freed 39 Palestinian prisoners in the latest stage of a four-day cease-fire, Associated Press reported.

The late-night exchange was held up for several hours after Hamas accused Israel of violating the agreement. The delay underscored the fragility of the cease-fire, which has halted a war that has shocked and shaken Israel, caused widespread destruction across the Gaza Strip, and threatened to unleash wider fighting across the region.

The war erupted on Oct. 7, when Hamas militants in Gaza burst across the border into southern Israel, killing at least 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting some 240 others, including, women, children and older people. Israel immediately declared war, carrying out weeks of airstrikes and a ground offensive that have left over 13,300 Palestinians dead, according to health authorities in the Hamas-controlled territory. Roughly two-thirds of those killed in Gaza have been women and minors.

The cease-fire, brokered by Qatar and the United States, is the first extended break in fighting since the war began. Overall, Hamas is to release at least 50 Israeli hostages, and Israel 150 Palestinian prisoners. All are women and minors.

Israel has said the truce can be extended by an extra day for every additional 10 hostages freed, but has vowed to quickly resume its offensive and complete its goals of returning all hostages and destroying Hamas’ military and governing capabilities.

The plight of the hostages has gripped the Israeli public’s attention. Thousands of people gathered in central Tel Aviv on Saturday in solidarity with the hostages andtheir families. Many accuse Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of not doing enough to bring the hostages home. The releases have triggered mixed emotions: happiness, coupled with angst over the scores of hostages who remain in captivity, according to Associated Press.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced early Sunday that it had received a new list of hostages slated to be released later in the day in the third of four scheduled swaps.

In the West Bank, hundreds of people burst into wild celebrations for a second night as a busload of Palestinian prisoners arrived early Sunday. Teenage boys released in the deal were carried on the shoulders of well-wishers in the main square of the town of Al Bireh. But the mood of celebration was dampened by scenes of destruction and suffering in Gaza.

The start of the pause brought quiet for 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza, who are reeling from relentless Israeli bombardment that has killed thousands, driven three-quarters of the population from their homes and leveled residential areas. Rocket fire from Gaza militants into Israel also went silent.

War-weary Palestinians in northern Gaza, where the offensive has been focused, returned to the streets, crunching over rubble between shattered buildings and at times digging through it with bare hands.

The world is witnessing AI or high-tech warfare rather than traditional warfare, be it in Russia-Ukraine or Israel–Palestine conflict. A war that does not defend humanity and human civilization is a cold-hearted crime.

If the Israel-Palestine war is escalated for destabilizing the Middle East or shattering China-initiated Gulf unity, the outcome would be costlier than in Iraq, Afghanistan, or Libya.

Massive US funding on war in Ukraine and Israel could trigger divisions within alliances like the EU, apart from affecting the outcome of US election 2024 and impacting the Ukraine war. It would leave a stronger precedent on the Taiwan issue at a time when China is taking advantage of a waning US image for its global ambition. As the world is likely to be divided into two poles, every international conflict would ultimately end in Beijing-Washington negotiations, else slip into WW-III.  So, let’s invest in peace, not in war.

The world is witnessing an AI or a high-tech war rather than just a traditional warfare—be it Russia-Ukraine war or Israel–Palestine conflict, while the conflicting parties have been massively ‘weaponizing technology’ and also undermining basic humanitarian laws. 

If the Israel-Palestine war, unfortunately, escalated over Iran or the Arab World with a shrewd intention of destabilizing the Mideast or disintegrating China initiated Gulf unity, the outcome would be more disappointing or costlier than that in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, or Libya in the past.

The massive US funding on the war in Ukraine and Israel, and possibly in Taiwan, instead of rationally investing on peace prospects, could not only induce divisions within the EU, NATO and other alliances, but could also affect the outcome of US election 2024 and impact the Russia-Ukraine war as well. 

Subsequently, it would leave a stronger precedent on the Taiwan issue. China, meanwhile, is widely garnering sustenance by taking advantage of a gradually waning US image, for its global political march. Against this backdrop, the world is most likely to be divided into two poles such that sooner or later every international conflict would ultimately end on Beijing-Washington negotiations, else slip into WWIII. Inviting a war is nothing but just an irrational competition on who would be stupider. Investing in war cannot be a wise ‘strategy’; instead, it is an ‘absurdity’. States, as responsible actors, should take steps for peace and harmony, and win hearts, minds and spirits of their nationals for maintaining a socio-democratic order.

The world is also observing a new version of Cold War centered on ‘democracy’ vs ‘autocracy’ in the form of tech and AI, data colonialism, data harvesting, cyber warfare, tech propaganda, intelligence sharing and spy-tech diplomacy, space race, maritime aggression, diplomatic maneuvering, interference in the internal affairs of states and unfair (and unilateral) tariffs or sanctions inconsistent with international laws. Consequently, global disorder is more disordered today. 

The induced “distrust and polarization of democracies” and disinformation from big tech and social media have been constantly challenging techno-democratic order, while the Russia-Ukraine conflict—that is largely marshaled by tech weaponries—is constantly fuelling for global disorder, and the Israel-Palestine conflict is likely to disunite the Arab World. The US, India and the UK as well as other influencing democracies such as Egypt, Indonesia, Mexico, South Africa and South Korea are going to polls in 2024, while the challenges to ‘electoral democracy’ following the risk of disinformation or the influence of AI and ethnic nationalism cannot be undermined.

In the past, the West undermined Russian tech, cyber and nuclear capabilities, while the consequence was that the US frequently witnessed vulnerability in its cyber security and is now facing grave challenges to democracy from within and outside. The West is not accepting China’s AI strength and diplomatic clout, including its four initiatives—BRI, GDI, GSI, GCI—while the consequence is that the world is being gradually divided into two poles seeking alternative global orders. The West is also not accepting India’s promising tech and Space strength. This disregard could end up making India an alternative power in the global stage in the foreseeable future.

Nevertheless, all the three influencing powers—China, India and Russia—have had remarkable history cum civilization, grand legacy, abundance of resources, strong national power capability, great population, greater size, rapidly emerging economy, innovative technology and remarkable defense capability, which none of the reigning powers can undermine now. While China has been the strongest of the three due to its AI supremacy, strong defense capability, gamut of intelligence and wider clout on the global stage. India is logically stronger because of its national power capabilities, including “fertile population” or “demographic advantage”, followed by strategic ties with Russia, bulky economic undertakings with China and geostrategic alliance with the US. Russia has become much stronger due to its tactical nuclear capability followed by stronger bilateral and geostrategic ties with China, India and North Korea.

The author is a geopolitical analyst

This article is part 1 of a two-part series

Eighteen Nepali nationals, who were rescued from war-torn Israel, have arrived in India.

The 18 Nepalis arrived in the southern neighbor through the ‘Operation Ajay’ campaign of the Indian government.

Nepali Ambassador India Dr Shankar Prasad Sharma welcomes the rescued Nepalis at the Delhi Airport. He said that transportation has been arranged for them to go to Nepal.

Taking to social media, he said, “families are excited as they return home during Dashain.”

Earlier, the Nepal government had evacuated 253 Nepali students from Israel after the armed attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on the war-hit West Asian country. They were airlifted by a Nepal Airlines plane.

Ten Nepali students were killed and four others sustained injuries in the attacks by Hamas. One is still unaccounted for.

The Foreign Ministry said that they are searching for missing Bipin Joshi.

The three injured are in the protection of the Tel Aviv-based Nepali Embassy.

The Foreign Ministry said that preparations are being made to repatriate the bodies of Nepali students killed in Israel.

The Nepal government has brought 254 Nepalis stranded in war-torn Israel following the armed attacks by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas.

They were brought home on a wide-body aircraft of the Nepal Airlines Corporation this morning. Government officials, including Minister for Foreign Affairs, NP Saud, had gone to Israel to evacuate them.

Talking to the mediapersons upon landing at the Tribhuvan International Airport, Minister Saud said 254 of the 503 Nepalis who wish to return home from Israel were brought in this rescue flight and the remaining ones would also be brought soon.

"Five hundred and fifty-seven Nepalis had provided their details in response to the request of the Embassy of Nepal based in Tel Aviv, Israel to the Nepalis wishing to relocate to safer places and return to Nepal to give their details online. Out of the 557 Nepalis, 503 had applied to return to Nepal and among them 254 have returned home today with us," the Foreign Affairs Minister said.

According to him, 54 Nepalis who requested to be relocated from risky areas have been shifted to safer areas in Israel.  He added that four Nepali nationals were injured in the attack by Hamas militants in the southern part of Israel and one among them has returned to Nepal today itself after treatment, another one has been discharged from hospital while two others are receiving treatment in hospital in Israel.

"A search has been intensified for Bipin Joshi who has gone missing following the attack. We will share the information as soon as we get additional information on this," Minister Saud said. 

Minister for Foreign Affairs Saud said that 10 Nepali students, who had gone to Israel from the Far-west University of Nepal, were killed in the attack and coordination is being established with the Government of Israel to repatriate their bodies.

"The Israeli side has said that it will take some time for handing over the bodies as it is required to complete the legal process and keep separate details of each and every deceased, and the number of bodies in Israel is currently very high," he said and requested the families and relatives of the deceased Nepalis to have patience for some time.

Minister Saud maintained that the government will make arrangements to rescue the remaining Nepalis who could not be brought this time due to some reasons, as regular commercial flights are also being operated from Tel Aviv at present.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs has thanked mediapersons, the Government of Israel and the Government of Nepal, the Embassy of Israel in Nepal and the Embassy of Nepal in Israel and the members of the flight crew, who helped in rescuing Nepali nationals and expressed their solidarity in this.

Nepal Police had kept three buses on stand-by at the airport to take the rescued Nepalis to various destinations.

According to the statistics of the Ministry, there are currently 265 Nepali students studying in Israel and about 4,500 working in various professions and sectors. The 265 Nepali students went to the Israeli government funded 'Learn and Earn' program.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that the bodies of all the deceased will be brought to Nepal as soon as possible after the due procedures are completed.

A Nepal Airlines plane that had left for Israel this morning to evacuate Nepalis from war-torn Israel will land at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), Kathmandu at 9 pm today.

The national flag-carrier plane took off for Israel from Kathmandu at 3.30 am today.

Minister for Foreign Affairs NP Saud himself has left for Israel on the same plane for diplomatic coordination to rescue the Nepalis from the war-hit West Asian country.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs' spokesperson Sewa Lamsal said a 250-seat wide-body aircraft of the Nepal Airlines has left for Israel to bring the Nepalis wishing to return home.

Ten Nepali students were killed and some others were injured in the attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas in the southern part of Israel on Saturday. The status of one student is still unknown.

The Nepali Embassy in Israel has been collecting, through an online registration system, the names of Nepalis who want to be relocated or rescued to safer places and who wish to return to Nepal.

Delay in repatriation of bodies

The repatriation of the bodies of the 10 Nepalis killed in the attack may take time as the legal process of handing over the bodies has not been completed.

It may be noted that the Government of Israel has declared a war against Hamas.

Spokesperson Lamsal said the bodies would be brought to Nepal at the soonest once the Israeli government completed all the legal processes including the post-mortem.

On Oct 7, Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a resolute condemnation of the attack orchestrated by Hamas in Israel. 

“The Government of Nepal vehemently denounces the recent act of terrorism in Israel, which tragically resulted in the loss of precious human lives and left many others injured,” the statement read.

The attack claimed the lives of hundreds of people, including ten Nepali students, and left thousands wounded. Notably, subsequent statements from the ministry omitted the term ‘terrorist’, a move that has captured the attention of foreign policy experts and observers. This marks the first instance of Nepali nationals being casualties of a Hamas assault.

However, the ministry officials emphasize that there has been no shift in Nepal’s established policy regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict, which dates back to the 1960s. A senior foreign ministry official clarified, “Nepal’s stated policy remains one of condemning terrorist activities, and it does not support Hamas and its actions.” Experts concur, asserting that Nepal's stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict remains unaltered.

Formed in 1987 during the uprising against Israel’s presence in Gaza and the West Bank, Hamas has long been associated with the Muslim Brotherhood. Numerous countries, including the US, the UK, Canada, the European Union, and others, designate Hamas as a terrorist organization due to its history of activities such as suicide bombings, kidnappings, and civilian killings. China, however, does not recognize Hamas as a terrorist group.

Nepal regularly engages in discussions concerning Israel and Palestine at the United Nations, and frequently faces multiple proposals related to the issue. On humanitarian grounds, Nepal extends support to Palestine on certain matters, although it does not formally recognize Hamas, which has governed the Gaza Strip since 2007. The extreme position taken by Hamas is spoiling all the peace deal attempts. 

Nepal’s voting positions in the UN have, at times, displeased Israel. Notably, in 2021, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution disavowing Jewish ties to the Temple Mount, designating it solely by its Muslim name, al-Haram al-Sharif. While 64 countries, including India, did not support this resolution, Nepal backed it. This was a departure from Nepal’s previous neutral positions on similar votes in 2018, 2019, and 2020. 

Nepal supports the two-state solution, calling for the creation of a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip alongside Israel. However, Hamas rejects this proposal, complicating the matter, while major powers, including the US, China, Russia, and India, stand in favor of a two-state solution. 

During the 78th General Assembly of the United Nations, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal expressed Nepal's unwavering commitment to peace for the Palestinian people, urging an end to the prolonged conflict. Nepal reiterated its support for a two-state solution, envisioning Israel and Palestine coexisting peacefully within internationally recognized borders, aligned with relevant UN resolutions.

Nepal and Israel established diplomatic relations in 1960, with Israel opening its embassy in Kathmandu in March 1961, while Nepal established its embassy in Israel in 1993. Notably, Nepal’s recognition of Israel’s existence and continuous diplomatic relations with the nation set it apart in South Asia until recently.

The Foreign Ministry’s official documents affirm Nepal’s ongoing support for Israel’s right to exist within secure and internationally recognized boundaries. Nepal’s historical involvement in recognizing Israel as an independent state, including visits by prominent leaders, underscores the enduring nature of their diplomatic relations.

 The first democratically elected Prime Minister BP Koirala acknowledged Israel as an independent state at a time when the entire world was yet to do so. Koirala paid an official visit to Israel in 1960, and three years later, the then king, Mahendra Shah, had also paid an official visit to Israel.  

In contrast, Nepal does not maintain diplomatic relations with Palestine, although both nations are members of the Non-Aligned Movement.

Box

What Nepal said on Israel-Palestine situation

2023: The Palestinian people deserve peace ending the prolonged conflict. Nepal reiterates its support for a two-state solution with Israel and Palestine, living peacefully side by side, within recognized international borders based on the relevant UN resolutions.

2022: Protracted violence and conflicts continue to inflict pain and suffering on Palestinian and Israeli civilians. Nepal reiterates its long-standing view for a two-state solution, whereby Palestine and Israel live side by side in peace and security within the recognized international borders.

2021: In the Middle East, we reiterate our long-standing position and want to see peace and security with a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine living side by side within secure and recognized international borders. 

2020: We would like to see peace and stability in the Middle East with a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security with secure and recognized international borders based on relevant United Nations resolutions.

2019: We want to see meaningful steps being taken to resolve the protracted Middle East issue. We support a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security with secure and recognized international borders based on relevant United Nations resolutions.

2018: With this commitment we must ensure that the voice of the people struggling for their rights, liberty, freedom and justice in various parts of the world, including Syria, Yemen, Palestine, and many other places must be heard and addressed.

Foreign Minister NP Saud himself is leaving for Israel to rescue Nepali nationals.

A Nepal Airlines plane is leaving for Israel at 11 pm today to rescue Nepalis.

Minister Saud is also going to Israel on the same plane, the minister’s personal secretary Deepak Joshi said.

Minister Saud himself is leading the rescue team of Nepalis.

“The Nepal Airlines plane is leaving for Israel under the leadership of Minister Saud,” Joshi said.

The Foreign Ministry in coordination with the Nepali Embassy in Israel has collected the details of the Nepalis who want to return home.

Sewa Lamsal, spokesperson at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that over 350 Nepali people eager to return home have so far registered their names at Nepali Embassy. Among them 288 will return home.

Ten Nepalis were killed in the deadly attack by Hamas militants on Saturday.

Four persons were injured in the attack and one is still missing.

Among the injured, two have been discharged from the hospital, Lamsal informed.

Saying that the bodies of Nepalis are under the protection of the Israeli government, she said that the mortal remains will be brought back soon after the Israeli government handed them over to the Nepali Embassy in Israel.

The government has decided to send an aircraft of Nepal Airlines to rescue Nepalis in Israel.

Nepal Airlines Corporation spokesperson Ramesh Paudel said that preparations are being made to send an aircraft to Israel.

“The Tourism Ministry has directed the Nepal Airlines Corporation to keep an aircraft on standby. We are making preparations for the same,” he said.

According to the Foreign Ministry, the aircraft of the national flag carrier will leave for Israel via Dubai to rescue Nepalis at 11 pm today.

The Foreign Ministry was of the opinion that the rescue was delayed after not getting the route for chartered flight.

Nepali nationals in Israel have been urging the government to rescue them at the earliest following the attacks by Hamas.

On Tuesday, Foreign Minister NP Saud held a telephone conversation with his Israeli counterpart Eli Cohen and urged him for necessary coordination and facilitation to repatriate the bodies of Nepali students killed in the attacks by Hamas in Israel.

In response, the Israeli Foreign Minister expressed his commitment to extend necessary assistance to send the bodies to Nepali students back home.

Ten Nepali students have been killed while 55 from Israeli bunkers and 72 from Lebanon have been shifted to safer places since the war broke out four days ago, Nepali Ambassador to Israel Kanta Rizal said.

Over 350 Nepali people eager to return home have so far registered their names at Nepali Embassy.

Earlier, the International Relations and Tourism Committee had directed the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers and Foreign Ministry to make arrangements to repatriate the bodies of 10 Nepalis killed in the attack.

With a conflict intensifying between Israel and Hamas after the recent Hamas attack, the Middle East, which was gradually heading toward unity and harmony, is plunging into a war, once again. Regardless of its root cause, the hostilities in the region can have a spillover effect, which can polarize the world. A conflict like this can also become a breeding ground for fresh rebellions, terrorists and criminal gangs.

No rational human being can support terrorism anywhere in the world. Talks and negotiations are a must to bring back normalcy in the region and beyond for the greater good of humanity and human civilization. War is never a solution. War begets more war and results in a lose-lose outcome. There is no alternative to peace and harmony. Thus, the international community in general and the parties to this conflict in particular should reconsider the “Framework for Peace in the Middle East”.

The author is a geostrategic thinker

Minister for Foreign Affairs NP Saud has urged people not to visit Israel individually or politically except in case of official decisions at the political level.

His statements come in the wake of wars between Hamas and Israel.

The minister made this statement while informing the Foreign Relations and Tourism Committee of the House of Representatives about the attacks in Israel by Hamas and the situation of Nepalis in war-torn Israel.  

Saying the situation in Israel is sensitive following Hamas attacks, he urged people not to politicize this situation.

"The situation is sensitive. So, people are requested not to visit Israel at person or political levels except in case of political decisions. We should not politicize this situation."

In the meeting, lawmakers praised the Government of Nepal for its rescue of Nepali people trapped in Israel. They also suggested the government continue rescue efforts.

The government has decided to provide Rs 1m in relief to the families of Nepali students who lost their lives in Israel.

Government Spokesperson Rekha Sharma informed that an emergency meeting of the Council of Ministers on Monday decided to allocate the amount to the families of 10 Nepalis who were killed in Saturday’s Hamas attack on Israel. The meeting also resolved to find ways to relocate trapped Nepali citizens to safe areas.

Similarly, the government has declared a national mourning day on Tuesday. National flags will be hoisted at half-mast in all government offices and diplomatic missions of Nepal to mourn the victims. 

A rapid action team has been formed under the leadership of Foreign Minister NP Saud to rescue the Nepalis trapped in Israel. The team has decided to have an airplane on standby and establish coordination with the Israeli side to repatriate the bodies of Nepali students. 

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal spoke with a Nepali student hiding in a bunker following the attack. Dahal held a video call with Bipin Subedi, and assured that the government was doing its best to rescue all Nepali citizens from Israel at the earliest. 

Dahal’s personal secretary Ramesh Malla said that the prime minister told Subedi that the government has been making efforts to rescue Nepalis based in Israel for the past three days. 

“Conversations are happening at the foreign ministerial level, and regular talks are taking place with the Embassy of Israel,” Prime Minister Dahal told Subedi.

Prime Minister Dahal has instructed authorities concerned to understand the situation in Israel and to identify the deceased and bring their bodies to Nepal at the earliest. 

Malla said that there was a delay in evacuating the students hiding in bunkers, because the Israeli side considered it a security risk.

Social media posts and videos suggest that around 32 students from the war zone were taken to a safe place on Monday. The Israeli army has initiated the movement of students in Israel’s Sedot Negev to safe locations.

Meanwhile, the Sudurpaschim provincial government has also announced to provide Rs 200,000 each to the families of those students killed in Israel. In a statement issued on Monday, Chief Minister Kamal Bahadur Shah announced that the provincial government would provide support to the families of the deceased. He also requested the federal governments of both countries to conduct search and rescue efforts and assist in bringing back the bodies of Nepali students.

The opposition parties, CPN-UML and Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), have asked Speaker Devraj Ghimire to pass a special resolution from Parliament to rescue Nepalis stuck in Israel. In a meeting held at Singha Durbar, the two parties emphasized that they would raise the Israel issue intensively in the Parliament through adjournment motions, motions of public importance, or resolution motions.

UML Chief Whip Padam Giri urged the government to take a serious interest in the situation of the 10 Nepalis who were killed in the Hamas attack, emphasizing that the condition of other Nepalis there is critical.

Nepali Congress MP Arjun Narsingha KC also strongly demanded that the government immediately bring home the bodies of the students who died in Israel. 

Addressing the Parliament session on Monday, KC urged the government to promptly repatriate the bodies of the 10 Nepali students. He also asked the government to ascertain the number of Nepalis in Israel and inform Parliament. 

“We have received news that about 123,000 people have been displaced in Israel. The details of how many Nepalis are among them should be presented to the Parliament,” he said.

Several other parliamentarians, including Gokul Prasad Baskota, Ishwar Bahadur Rijal, Chitra Bahadur KC, Anjani Shrestha, Anisha Nepali, Abdul Khan, Amanlal Modi, Amar Bahadur Raymajhi, Amrit Lal Rajbanshi, Ishwari Gharti, Urmila Majhi, Kiran Kumar Shah and Geeta Basnet, also demanded for a prompt rescue of the Nepali citizens from Israel. 

Late on Monday, Prime Minister Dahal called an all-party meeting where he requested parties stand united on the Israel incident. One of the leaders in the meeting said all  parties share a unified stance on the issue of Israel. “The cross-party leaders suggested that the government provide  accurate and timely information about the state of Nepali there,” he told ApEx.

Janakpur youth killed after leaving for Israel just 26 days ago

Family members of Anand Sah have been devastated after he was killed along with nine other Nepalis in Saturday’s Hamas attack on Israel. 

The 25-year-old from Laxminiya Rural Municipality, Dhanusha, had left for Israel just 26 days ago. Eldest among four siblings, Anand was his family’s only support.  

His parents Soman and Shuvakala, and sisters, Sunita, Saraswati and Aarati are inconsolable. Neighbors and relatives have gathered at their house to comfort them, but to no avail.

Soman and Shuvakala have been drifting in and out of consciousness. When they come to their senses, they cry out for their deceased son. “Where did you go? Why don’t you come back? Who is going to look after us?” 

Neighbor Mithilesh Sah says Anand’s death has dealt an immeasurable blow to his family.

“Anand was the eldest of the four children and the only son to his parents. So his father and mother had high hopes for him,” says Mithilesh, recalling how Soman had worked in the Persian Gulf for 10 years so that Anand could go to school. 

Despite a poor family background, Anand was able to attend a boarding school and study science at Mithila College. Neighbors and friends remember Anand as a diligent student

“His parents had sacrificed a lot to educate him,” says Mithilesh. “One can only imagine what they must be going through after their son’s tragic death.” 

Anand had last talked with his sisters over the phone on Friday. He could not speak with his parents that day. Soman and Shuvakala tried contacting Anand on Saturday, but they could not get hold of him. There was a ringing tone, but no answer. 

The government has decided to provide Rs one million to each family of Nepali students killed in Israel.

An emergency Cabinet meeting held on Monday decided to provide Rs one million to the families of 10 Nepali students who lost their lives in the attack of Hamas in Israel, government spokesperson Rekha Sharma said.

The Finance Ministry will disburse the amount through the Home Ministry.

Similarly, the government has declared Tuesday as a national mourning day to pay tribute to those killed in Israel.

Spokesperson Sharma said that it has also been decided to fly the national flag at half-mast in all government offices of Nepal and diplomatic missions.

She said that discussions are underway with the Israeli government to rescue the Nepali nationals from the war-torn country.

Ten Nepali nationals have died and four sustained injuries in the attack of Hamas in Israel. One has not come into contact.

National Assembly (NA) Chairman Ganesh Prasad Timilsina has expressed sorrow over the death of 10 Nepali students due to the attack by Palestinian militant group, Hamas, in Israel.

In a condolence message, the Chair of the Upper House of Federal Parliament said that he was stunned by the news of the death of the students. He has also urged the government to immediately rescue other Nepalis who want to return to Nepal. 

"Wishing for the quick recovery of health to those injured in the attack, I make a special request to the Government of Nepal to make all arrangements for rescue, relief and prompt return of those who want to come back to Nepal," the NA Chair said.

NA Chair Timilsina has paid heartfelt tribute to those who passed away in the attack and deep condolences to the members of the bereaved families at this hour of grief.

Ten Nepali students enrolled in educational institutions in the southern region of Israel have been killed following the deadly terrorist attack by Hamas, the Palestinian group. Nepali Ambassador to Israel Kanta Rizal confirmed the deaths. 

Issuing a press note on Sunday, Nepali Embassy in Israel said that four Nepalis were injured and are receiving treatment at a local hospital while one is still missing.

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.

“The embassy is doing necessary coordination with the Israeli government to send the deceased bodies to Nepal,” the embassy statement reads. The embassy further says that the online registration will be opened soon for those who want to return back to Nepal.

Earlier on Sunday, Foreign Minister NP Saud had informed the Parliament that there may have been some casualties. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Sewa Lamsal had also indicated about the possible casualties.

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

Minister Saud briefed Parliament that the security situation in Israel remains complex for the foreseeable future, and the government is fully committed to providing necessary support and facilitating rescue of Nepali citizens there. 

“Coordination and facilitation efforts are underway with the Israeli government to ensure the safety, rescue and support of Nepalis residing in Israel,” said Saud.  

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.

Among these students, 119 are from the Agriculture and Forestry University, 97 from Tribhuvan University, and 49 from the Far-Western University (FWU). Seventeen students from FWU were employed at an agricultural farm in Alumim, situated near the war-torn Gaza Strip.

Kalpana Joshi, a Nepali student, told ApEx that 18 Nepalis were hiding in a small bunker at Shorashim Farm in Mivtachim of Israel.

“There are 18 Nepalis here, three from the Far Western University and 15 from the Agriculture and Forestry University. Twelve of us are female students,” she said.

CPN-UML Chief Whip Padam Giri has demanded that Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal take steps to rescue Nepalis in Israel.

Giri said that it is not only sufficient to issue a press statement. “Instead, the Prime Minister himself should hold a telephone conversation with his counterpart and take initiatives to protect the lives of Nepalis,” he said. Giri urged the Nepali representatives attending the United Nations General Assembly to draw the UN’s serious attention for the rescue of the Nepali citizens trapped in Israel. 

Sushil Neupane, the head of the School of Agriculture at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences of FWU, said they have halted internal examinations and teaching activities, and are trying to work a way out. “Efforts are underway to communicate with the affected students,” he says.

Among the 17 individuals working at Alumim, Birendra Chaudhary from Tikapur has been communicating via social media, providing information about being surrounded by the military. “Nine students have been successfully contacted through social media, and all students are currently staying at their respective shelters,” says Neupane.

Ramesh Bahadur Karki from Bajura, Binod Prasad Sah from Rautahat, Abhash Bhattarai from Kailali, Naresh Singh Bhandari from Kanchanpur, Lokendra Bista from Dadeldhura, Rohit Nayak from Kailali, Niranjan Kumar Kusahwa from Rautahat, Arvinda Kumar Chaudhary from Kailali, and Upendra GC from Banke are among those who have come into contact.

Of the 49 students in the final semester of their Bachelor’s degree program in Agricultural Science, 15 departed for Israel on Sept 12, while the remaining 35 students left on Sept 13. The students’ program in Israel comprises one day of study, five days of work and one day of vacation, all part of the ‘Learn and Earn’ initiative. This marks the first time that students from the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences have been sent to Israel as part of this program.

The militant Hamas rulers of the Gaza Strip have launched an unprecedented, multifront attack on Israel, firing thousands of rockets. Dozens of Hamas fighters infiltrated the heavily fortified border at several locations, catching the country off-guard during a major holiday. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel was ‘at war’ and called for a mass mobilization of army reserves. At least 600 people have reportedly been killed in Israel—a staggering toll on a scale the country has not experienced in decades—and more than 300 have been killed in Gaza.

The government of Nepal has also strongly condemned the ‘terrorist attack’ in Israel that left nine Nepalis injured. “At this critical hour, we express our solidarity with the Government of Israel,” stated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The government extended heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathies to the people and Government of Israel, as well as to the victims and their families. “We wish for a speedy recovery of the injured,” added the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Contact

Nepal Embassy in Israel: +972(0)35168085

Ambassador Kanta Rizal: +972545864423

First Secretary Arjun Ghimire: +972528289300

Email: [email protected]