Waiting for Bipin Joshi's return

The question is being raised whether the initiative of the Nepal government has not been enough for his release. When there is no sign of an immediate end to the war between Israel and Hamas, the government is delaying to find out the situation of Vipin and take a meaningful diplomatic initiative for his release.

Bipin, who was studying in the eighth semester of the bachelor's degree in the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at Far West University, was captured by Hamas when he went to Israel as part of the learning-to-earn program. He reached Israel with his classmates in the last week of August last year. On October 20, Hamas launched an unexpected attack in the southern region of Israel where they were staying. 10 Nepalese students were killed in the attack. Bipin was taken hostage by Hamas. Hamas has not disclosed anything about his condition. On October 20, Hamas imprisoned 252 people from different countries, including Bipin. Hamas released 105 people during a 6-day ceasefire last November for "humanitarian values". Before and after that some people were freed. More than 120 people are still under the control of Hamas. Some of the people captured by Hamas have died.

After the unexpected attack by Hamas, the then Foreign Minister NP Saud himself went to Israel to rescue Nepalis from war-torn areas and bring them home. It has been criticized that the government did not show the same vigilance in the rescue as in the release of Bipin. Bipin's parents are appealing to Singh Darbar, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, President's Office and are also appealing to international bodies.

The government also seems to be asking at different levels. Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim Bill Hamad Al Thani was asked by President Ram Chandra Paudel, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Foreign Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha to take initiative for the release of Bipin during his visit to Nepal last month. Qatar, which has good relations with Hamas, is a country where Nepal has strong labor diplomacy. On the initiative of countries and organizations including Qatar, there was a ceasefire for a few days last November and many prisoners were released at that time. Officials of Nepal have been insisting that Bipin can be released if Qatar takes the initiative, but Bipin's condition is yet to be known.

A long-term ceasefire between Israel and Hamas could strengthen the hope of Bipin's return home. But there is no sign of a ceasefire. The world civil community has been calling for an end to the war with Israel. Various United Nations bodies have repeatedly passed resolutions for a ceasefire. But Israel is ignoring such pleas/proposals. Israeli officials are expressing that the war will continue throughout this year (2024). The tension created by the war between Israel and Hamas has spread to Lebanon, Yemen and other countries. More than 35,000 people have died in the eight-month war. Thousands more are injured, millions displaced.

The life of the displaced people in Gaza is difficult due to restrictions on the entry of essential materials such as food, fuel and medicine. As the war drags on, the situation seems to get worse. As Israel continues to attack Bipin in the Gaza Strip, where he is being held hostage, his family is worried about security. It is necessary to have this level of concern in the government of Nepal.

The government should increase diplomatic activity to find out the condition of Bipin and to release him as soon as possible. Initiatives can be taken for release through visits to countries like Qatar that can facilitate it or through the use of various mechanisms and such initiatives should proceed immediately. And, for the creation of a long-term ceasefire environment between Israel and Hamas (Palestine), the active leadership of the United Nations, the bodies of the International Red Cross Committee and countries including Qatar and Egypt are expected.