Save Citizens In Danger

The nation is shocked and grieving after sad news arrived on Sunday that ten Nepali students studying in Israel have died in Hamas terrorist attack. One more Nepali student is said to have gone missing. After Minister for Foreign Affairs NP Saud told the Federal Parliament that 12 Nepali students in Israel were out of contact and might have become part of the casualties in the terrorist attack, the Nepali Embassy based in Israel's Tel Aviv confirmed that 10 Nepali students were killed in the terror attack. It released a list of the students' names and their home addresses in Nepal. The embassy said that the whereabouts of one student Bipin Joshi from Bhimdutta-3, Kanchanpur was unknown as he was out of contact. It is not yet known whether he was taken hostage by the terrorists. 

The attack on October 7 caught Israel by surprise and attackers have killed hundreds of civilians, including the foreigners working or studying there. They have also taken Israeli soldiers and civilians hostage for a bargain to free their captives in Israel. Video footages show that the terrorists have meted out inhuman treatment on their hostages and people are living in a state of terror, intimidation and uncertainty. Considering the gravity of the situation in Israel, there is urgency for the government to take immediate measures to bring home the bodies of the deceased and make diplomatic efforts to rescue other Nepalis who are still in danger.

 No stone should be left unturned to arrange safe home return of those who may be in the hiding desperately waiting for rescue and return. The situation may turn even difficult as conflict is likely to escalate between the two sides and the terrorists are reportedly targeting airports with rocket attacks. The government needs to keep constant coordination with the Nepali Embassy and mobilise every diplomatic channel available to take distressed Nepalis to safety. The Nepali Embassy has said that it is gathering details of the condition of Nepalis living in Israel. Israeli Ambassador here in Kathmandu, Hanan Godar, has expressed commitment to work for the safety of Nepalis during his meeting with Minister for Foreign Affairs Saud. 

On Monday, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda had a conversation with Nepali students living in bunker in Israel and assured them of prompt measures to rescue them. Massive terrorist infiltration has made Israeli security volatile and safety of those living in bunker can be assured when the situation comes under control of Israeli security forces. According to the data available to the Nepali Embassy, two Nepali students are in police custody and safe while four others with injuries have been hospitalised. Around 4,500 Nepalis are currently working as caregivers in Israel while 265 students are studying there under the "Learn and Earn" scheme. Out of them, 119 students have gone there from Agriculture University, 97 from Tribhuvan University and 49 from Sudurpaschim University. 

The government has announced relief assistance to the families of those who lost lives in Israel. A national mourning is being observed on Tuesday. The government has constituted a mechanism to keep constant monitoring and updates on the situation in Israel and conditions of Nepalis living there. Israeli territory bordering with Gaza seems to be highly dangerous as Hamas activists have unleashed terror there after the brutal incursion through the fenced border. Now the urgency and onus lies in the government to save its citizens in distress in foreign land.