Nepal seeks Qatar’s help to secure release of Nepalese held by Hamas
Published: 11 January 2025
NT Bureau
Doha
Nepal on Friday urged Qatar and Egypt to assist in securing the release of Bipin Joshi, a Nepali student believed to be held captive by Hamas.
Following reports that Hamas plans to release 34 individuals under its captivity, Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba on Friday requested the countries which have been mediating with the group to assist in securing the release, the Kathmandu Post reported.
Joshi is among the captives held by Hamas.
Foreign Minister Deuba made the request with the Egyptian government as Egypt’s Ambassador to Nepal Noha Hamdy Ahmed ElGebaly paid a courtesy call on Deuba at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today.
“The conversation dwelt on various issues of bilateral relations between Nepal and Egypt while primar-ily focusing on the liaison of the government of Egypt for the immediate release of Bipin Joshi, who has been taken captive by Hamas since October 7, 2023,” the foreign ministry said in a post on X.
Likewise, Foreign Minister Deuba held a telephone conversation with Qatari Ambassador to Nepal Mishal Mohammed Ali Alansari, who is currently on vacation in Qatar, the report says.
During the conversation, the minister requested the government of Qatar, through the ambassador, to put Joshi’s name on the upcoming list of captives to be released, the foreign ministry said in a post on X.
According to the foreign ministry, the ambassador expressed his commitment to convey the concern raised by the minister to the Qatar government.
Earlier on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Deuba requested the Israeli government, through Ambassa-dor Shmulik Arie Bass, to secure the release of Joshi
On October 7, last year, a Hamas attack on Israeli territory resulted in the deaths of over 1,000 people, including 10 Nepalis, and the abduction of several individuals, including Joshi.
Minister Deuba has consistently appealed to the international community to assist in securing Joshi’s safe release.
