The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has appealed for safeguarding the lives of innocent people, including Nepali student Bipin Joshi, who have gone missing from the first day of the attack by Hamas in Gaza.

A press statement released by the MoFA has also commended the diplomatic efforts on the part of the State of Qatar for the release of two hostages in Gaza.

The MoFA has urged the need to ensure Joshi's safety and well-being as well as that of other individuals who are believed to have been abducted by Hamas militants.

Joshi's friends who were lucky enough to survive the attack had told the media after returning to country that Joshi was taken hostage by people wearing face masks on the night of October 7. The whereabouts of Joshi is still unknown.

Joshi who hails from Bhimdatta Municipality in Kanchanpur along with other Nepali students had gone to Israel to take part in 'Earn and Learn' project working in the agricultural sector. A total of 49 agriculture students from Sudurpaschim University in Tikapur had gone there as part of their course. They were working near Gaza border.

Meanwhile, the Nepali Embassy in Israel reiterated that it had been making efforts to search for Joshi. He has been missing for 20 days.

Joshi's friends said he was able to throw one of the grenades out of their room, but another one exploded killing a Nepali couple in the same room. A total of 10 Nepalis lost their lives that night.

Meanwhile, the body of one more among 10 Nepali was brought to Nepal on Thursday. The remains of Ganesh Kumar Nepali of Bajhang district was brought to Nepal.

Five families are still waiting in agony to receive the mortal remains of their loved ones.

Published on: 30 October 2023 | The Himalayan Times