Kathmandu: A total of 254 Nepali nationals, who were rescued from Israel, arrived in Nepal on a Nepal Airlines Corporation wide-body aircraft.
A delegation led by Minister for Foreign Affairs, NP Saud, had traveled to Israel to facilitate their return.
Minister Saud, briefing the media at Tribhuvan International Airport after the rescue flight, informed that out of the 503 Nepalis wanting to return from Israel, 254 were successfully repatriated in this operation. The remaining individuals are expected to be brought back soon.
Initially, 557 Nepalis responded to the Embassy of Nepal’s request in Tel Aviv, Israel, providing their details for relocation to safer locations and return to Nepal.
Out of these, 503 sought to return, and 254 were part of this recent repatriation effort. Minister Saud mentioned that 54 Nepalis who had requested relocation from unsafe areas within Israel have been moved to secure zones.
He also noted that four Nepali citizens were injured in an attack by Hamas militants in southern Israel. One of them has already returned to Nepal after receiving treatment, another has been discharged from the hospital, and the remaining two continue to receive medical care in Israel.
Bipin Joshi, who went missing during the attack, is still being searched for, and further updates will be shared as soon as available.
Minister Saud also conveyed that efforts are underway to coordinate with the Government of Israel for the repatriation of 10 Nepali students from the Far-west University of Nepal who tragically lost their lives in the Hamas group attack.
Due to the legal processes and the high number of bodies, the repatriation may take some time, and the Minister requested patience from the families and relatives of the deceased.
Minister Saud acknowledged the assistance and collaboration of various entities, including the media, the Governments of Israel and Nepal, the Embassies of Israel and Nepal, and the flight crew, in the successful rescue mission.
Nepal Police had organized three buses at the airport to transport the rescued Nepalis to their respective destinations.
The Ministry provided statistics indicating that there are currently 265 Nepali students studying in Israel and approximately 4,500 Nepalis employed in various sectors.
These include 265 Nepali students participating in Israel’s government-funded ‘Learn and Earn’ program.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs assured that the bodies of the deceased will be repatriated to Nepal promptly once all necessary procedures are completed.