Kathmandu, Jan 14: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has continued its diplomatic efforts for the safe release of Bipin Joshi, a Nepali citizen believed to be held captive by Hamas. These efforts follow reports that Hamas is releasing 34 captives, including women, children and the elderly. Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba has been requesting countries, which are reported to be in contact with Hamas and are mediating for a ceasefire, to intensify their initiatives for Joshi’s release.
Today, Dr Rana had a telephonic conversation with Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, requesting him to take special initiatives for Joshi’s freedom. She acknowledged Qatar as a longstanding friend of Nepal. During the conversation, Dr Khulaifi, the key mediator for the peace talks with Hamas on behalf of the Qatari government, said progress was being made in bringing Hamas to a ceasefire with Israel. He highlighted the Qatari government’s ongoing initiatives for the release of those kidnapped by Hamas.
He further said they have also prioritised advocating for the release of the Nepali youth Joshi, adding that Joshi would be included in the first phase of the release of the captives, which focus on women, children and the elderly. If not, he assured that Joshi would be prioritised in the subsequent phases of negotiations.
Last week, Dr Rana met with ambassadors of Israel, Egypt, Qatar, seeking their governments’ assistance in securing Joshi’s release. In response, Ambassador of Israel to Nepal Shmulik Arie Bass informed that the Israel government had sent a list of captives to Hamas a few months ago, urging the group to release elderly, women and children, and those in critical health conditions in particular in the first phase, and that preparations were underway for their release.
Joshi was among those who were kidnapped during the Hamas’ attack on Israel in October 2023, which led to the killing of more than a thousand people, including 10 Nepalis. Since then, the Government of Nepal has continued its diplomatic efforts for Joshi’s release. Dr Rana has continuously raised the issue at national and regional forums, including the United Nations, and through bilateral meetings for Joshi’s safe release.
Israel-Hamas to release 33 hostages from Gaza in initial exchange
Sources involved in the talks and Israeli media reported on Tuesday that 33 Israeli hostages will be released as part of the first phase of a Gaza ceasefire deal being negotiated in Qatar. Mediators Qatar, Egypt and the United States have stepped up efforts to reach a deal in recent days, and a source familiar with the talks told AFP on Tuesday that a “final round of talks” would begin in Doha.
Two sources familiar with the talks told AFP on condition of anonymity that the initial exchange would see the release of 33 hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. These hostages are among 94 people held captive in the Gaza Strip since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023. This number includes 34 prisoners who the Israeli military said were dead.
The Times of Israel news website reported that the first phase of the agreement includes 33 humanitarian issues, citing Israeli officials familiar with the talks. According to one of two sources familiar with the talks, the first phase of the agreement includes the release of 33 Israeli hostages in groups, with children and women being released first.
According to a report in the Times of Israel, Israeli officials believe that 33 hostages included in the proposed initial exchange are alive, although Israel is awaiting confirmation of their status, the report said. “If the first phase is completed, on the 16th day after the agreement comes into effect, Israel will begin negotiations in the second phase to release the remaining prisoners,” the report said, “which includes male soldiers, men of military age, and the bodies of slain hostages.”
Last week, Hamas indicated it had agreed to release 34 hostages in the first phase of a multi-stage deal. Israeli media also reported on Tuesday that Israel would be allowed to maintain a buffer zone inside Gaza during the first phase of implementation under the proposed deal.
“The Israeli army is not expected to withdraw from Gaza until all hostages are returned, but this would allow residents from southern Gaza to move to the north of the strip,” the left-leaning newspaper Haaretz said. US President Joe Biden said on Monday that a ceasefire and hostage release agreement was almost final and was based on a three-phase ceasefire plan he unveiled in late May.
“We are at a point where a resolution… is finally coming to fruition in the war between Israel and Hamas,” Biden said in his farewell speech at the State Department. The main sticking points in the talks are disagreements over the durability of any ceasefire and the scale of humanitarian aid for the Palestinian territories.
Other contentious issues include the return of displaced Gazans to their homes, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Palestinian territories, and the reopening of border crossings. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has firmly rejected a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and opposed Palestinian rule in the territory.
According to a source familiar with the talks, the talks in Qatar are being conducted with Hamas and Israeli negotiators present in two separate rooms. According to media reports, any agreement is likely to require approval from the Israeli cabinet.