Ten Nepali Hindus of the 17 abducted by Hamas terrorists in Israel were killed by the terrorists, confirmed the Nepali government. The government has also announced mourning for the Nepalis who lost their lives in the attack.

Ten Nepali Hindus killed by Hamas terrorists

On 8 October 2023, the Nepali government officially confirmed the devastating loss of ten Nepali citizens in a recent terrorist attack in Israel perpetrated by the Islamist group Hamas. The distressing announcement was made by Arjun Ghimire, the First Secretary at the Nepali Embassy in Israel.

Ghimire stated that Israeli Police had verified the identities of the ten Nepali victims. Additionally, he mentioned that there were still individuals unaccounted for, and some were in critical medical condition, leaving room for the possibility of the casualty count rising. Ghimire assured that a comprehensive update would be provided by the Foreign Ministry in due course.

Nepal’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, NP Saud, also acknowledged the potential Nepali casualties in the Hamas attack. In a statement shared on the SM platform “X,” Saud provided crucial information regarding Nepali nationals in Israel. As of 7 October 2023, there were approximately 4,500 Nepali nationals working as caregivers in Israel, along with 265 Nepali students participating in Israel’s learning and earning program sponsored by the Israeli government.

Of these students, 119 were from Agriculture and Forestry University, 97 from Tribhuvan University, and 49 from Far-Western University. Notably, 17 out of the 49 students from Sudurpaschim University were studying in Kibbutz Alumim, located in southern Israel, in close proximity to the Gaza area where the horrific attack occurred.

Earlier, according to the information shared by the Nepali Embassy, two of the 17 Nepali students in that area were confirmed safe, while four were receiving medical treatment at a local hospital for injuries. Tragically, the status of the remaining 11 individuals remained uncertain, as they were unreachable, raising concerns about potential casualties. Efforts were underway to gather accurate information and comprehensively assess the situation as the nation mourned the loss of its citizens in this tragic event.

Nepal announces mourning

The Nepal government has declared national mourning in honor of the ten Nepali nationals in Israel who lost their lives in the Islamist Hamas terror attack. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, wrote on X, that a special meeting of the council of ministers declared the national day of mourning on the 23rd of Ashoj (Tuesday), to mourn the loss of lives.

At least ten Nepali students, who were in Israel with regard to the scheme Learn and Earn, were killed on Saturday (7 October) during the Hamas offensive against Israel. The students were pursuing higher education in Israel. The Nepalese government has also decided to hoist the national flag in government offices and Nepali missions abroad.

Rekha Sharma, the spokesperson of the Nepal government, said that the entire nation is in shock, and the government has decided to provide Rs 10 lakh as compensation to the families of the deceased. The government has also decided to bring back the dead bodies in coordination with Israeli authorities and asked other Nepali citizens to register their names at the Nepali Embassy in Tel Aviv if they want to return from the war-torn country.

Sharma said that with the support of Nepal Airlines and Himalaya Airlines, the government will bring back the Nepali citizens who wish to return. It is estimated that over 4,600 Nepali citizens are living and working in Israel mostly. On Tuesday alone, the Israeli army evacuated at least 32 Nepalese and shifted them to safe locations. The Cabinet has also decided to repatriate the dead bodies as soon as possible in coordination with the government of Israel.

Earlier, Prime Minister Dahal had also called a meeting of all political parties where leaders had urged him to repatriate the Nepalese citizens from Israel as soon as possible and arrange the possibility of shifting the Nepalese citizens to safe places. The Nepalese Embassy said that four Nepalese are undergoing treatment in a local hospital, two have been rescued, and one citizen has gone missing. Around 200 Nepali citizens who want to return to Nepal have registered their names with the Embassy.

Israeli PM Netanyahu declares war

On Saturday (7 October), Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, declared that the country was now in a state of war, ordering the mobilization of reserves and pledging a response that the enemy had not anticipated. In a video statement posted on the social media platform “X” (formerly known as Twitter), Netanyahu emphasized the gravity of the situation, saying, “We are at war, not engaged in an operation or rounds, but at war. This morning, Hamas launched a surprise attack against the State of Israel and its citizens. We have been in this since the early morning hours. I convened the heads of the security establishment and instructed them to clear out the communities infiltrated by terrorists, which is currently underway.”

Furthermore, Netanyahu initiated the mobilization of reserve forces and urged the people of Israel to follow the directives of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Home Front Command. He stated, “Simultaneously, I have ordered an extensive mobilization of reserves and directed that our response be of a magnitude the enemy has never seen before. The enemy will face an unprecedented cost. At this moment, I call upon the citizens of Israel to strictly adhere to the directives of the IDF and Home Front Command. We are at war, and we will emerge victorious.”

In response to Hamas’s surprise attack, the Israel Defense Forces launched Operation ‘Iron Swords,’ as reported by the Times of Israel. The IDF stated, “In response to the barrage of rockets launched by Hamas from Gaza at Israel, we are currently targeting Hamas objectives in Gaza.”

The Israeli military is engaged in combat with Hamas terrorists in various areas of Southern Israel along the Gaza Strip border, including the towns of Kfar Aza, Sderot, Sufa, Nahal Oz, Magen, Be’eri, and the Re’im military base.

(With IANS inputs)

(Featured Image Source: Ommcomm News)