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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]

Foreign Minister NP Saud has said that the government is fully committed to help, coordinate and facilitate the Nepalis living in Israel.

While informing the Parliament about the situation of Nepalis in Israel on Sunday, he said that the government is committed to provide necessary support and rescue to the Nepalis in Israel saying that Israel's security environment will remain complex for some time.

He said that the Embassy of Nepal in Israel is coordinating with the government of Israel for the safety, rescue and support of Nepalis.

According to the Nepali Embassy in Israel, 4, 500 Nepalis are working as caregivers in Israel, Foreign Minister Saud said.

He said that 265 Nepali students had gone to Israel through the Learn and Earn Program of the Israeli government.

According to Minister Saud, 119 students from Agricultural University, 97 from Tribhuvan University and 49 from Far-Western University went to Israel through the program.

Among them, 17 students, who had gone to Israel from Far-Western University, were studying in Kibbutz Alumim, Israel.

According to the Embassy, among the students, who had gone to Israel from Far-Western University, three were injured in the attack and two are safe, Minister Saud said.

The injured are undergoing treatment at a local hospital. Remaining 12 persons have not come into contact, he said.

At least 232 people have been killed and 1,600 wounded in the attack by Hamas forces into Israel.