Kathmandu, January 10: The government has once again requested Qatar and Egypt to act as mediators for the safe release of Nepali student Bipin Joshi, who is said to be under the control of the extremist group Hamas.
The government has reiterated its request to mediate with both countries for Joshi’s release through the ambassadors of Egypt and Qatar to Nepal. After the news that Hamas is going to release 34 people under its control became public, Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba urged the governments of Qatar and Egypt, which are mediating with Hamas, to also make efforts for Joshi’s release.
In a meeting with Egyptian Ambassador to Nepal Noha Hamdi Ahmed Elgebali at the ministry today, Foreign Minister Deuba urged the Egyptian government, through the ambassador, to implement Nepal’s request.
The Foreign Ministry has stated that today, the Foreign Minister also contacted Qatari Ambassador to Nepal Mishal Mohammad Al Ansari over the phone and requested him to act as a mediator for Joshi’s release. Ambassador Ansari, who is currently in Qatar, had informed that he would consult with the Foreign Minister regarding Nepal’s request.
Earlier, Foreign Minister Deuba had also requested the Israeli government for Joshi’s release through Israeli Ambassador to Nepal Samuel Ari Bass. The government is continuing diplomatic efforts for Joshi’s release.
Bipin Joshi
Hostage Yussef Ziyadne ‘killed in Hamas captivity
The Israeli military confirmed on Friday that the body of an Israeli hostage held hostage by militants following an attack on Gaza on October 7 has been found. The Israeli military informed Yussef Ziyadne’s family on Thursday that he had been “killed in Hamas custody” after a forensic examination. The military announced on Wednesday that the body of his father, Youssef, had been recovered and brought to Israel.
Palestinian militants captured the father and son from Kibbutz Holit, near the Gaza border, on October 7, 2023. Yussef Ziyadne’s sister and brother, who were kidnapped with them, were released during a week-long ceasefire in November 2023. Unconfirmed reports about Ziyadne’s fate were made public on Wednesday, but on Friday the military confirmed that his remains had been identified.
Official Israeli figures show that 1,208 Israelis were killed in the attacks carried out by Hamas in 2023. Israel’s retaliatory action has killed 46,060 people in Gaza, most of them civilians, according to figures from the Hamas-run territory’s health ministry, which the United Nations considers credible.
