At least nine Nepalis were reported injured, two of them critically, as Hamas launched an attack inside Israeli territory early Saturday.

Hamas militants fired thousands of rockets and sent dozens of fighters into Israeli towns near the Gaza Strip in an unprecedented surprise early morning attack, the Associated Press reported.

The Islamist group started the attack around 6:30 am (0330 GMT) with thousands of rockets aimed as far as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, some bypassing the Iron Dome defence system and hitting buildings, the AFP said.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kathmandu said in a statement that a farm where 14 Nepalis were working had come under attack in Kibbutz Alumim in southern Israel near the Gaza Strip.

A Nepali woman who came in contact with the Post from Tel Aviv said that a sense of fear and threat to life is spreading among the Nepali people living and working in several cities of Israel.

“We have heard that some are trying to save themselves by hiding inside bunkers,” she said. “Some are seeking assistance from local police but we are clueless what to do. We are also connected with Nepali community through social media platforms.”

Israel hosts over 4,500 Nepali nationals, most of them working as caregivers while others are pursuing higher education. Some Nepali students had recently reached Israel on an exchange programme.

After the fight broke out, the Nepali Embassy in Tel Aviv issued an appeal to the Nepali nationals to stay safe. “As we know, clashes are going on in Gaza and other areas of Israel. In this troubled situation, we urge all to stay safe and follow the order of the local authorities,” the embassy said in a notice on Saturday afternoon.

The embassy said they are coordinating with the Israeli authorities in order to extend all possible support and safe evacuation of the Nepali nationals who have got into trouble there. “We are terrified and the situation is not good,” said the embassy, urging Nepalis not to share anything on social media that will create panic.

“We have been informed that a farm, where 14 Nepalis were working, also came under attack. Nine Nepalis are reportedly injured while two of them are in serious condition,” the foreign ministry said.

The Nepal government said the embassy is coordinating with the Israeli authorities for the safety, security and rescue of the Nepalis as well as medical treatment of the injured. The government has advised Nepalis in Israel to follow the safety measures suggested by the authorities there.

Nepal’s Ambassador to Israel Kanta Rizal, currently in Herzliya, a city on the central coast of Israel, confirmed the developments.

The government of Nepal has expressed its solidarity with Israel in the wake of deadly attacks by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas.

The government of Nepal strongly condemns the terrorist attack in Israel that caused a loss of lives and injured many, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Saturday evening. “At this critical hour, we convey our solidarity with the Government of Israel.”

Before issuing a statement, Minister for Foreign Affairs NP Saud, Foreign Secretary Bharat Raj Paudyal and other senior officials held an emergency meeting and discussed how to respond to the emerging situation in Israel. Minister Saud and other senior officials discussed the emergency with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal to form Nepal’s position on the situation in Israel, according to officials privy to the developments.

“After consultation with the prime minister, we issued the statement and made clear our position that we have maintained since 1960,” a foreign ministry official told the Post.

Nepal is among the countries that first recognised Israel at the United Nations and decided to establish diplomatic relations with the country in 1960. Nepal has since maintained its support for the right of Israel to exist within secure and internationally recognised boundaries.

The government of Nepal extends heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathies to the people and government of Israel as well as the victims of this cruel attack and their families, the ministry stated. “We wish for speedy recovery of the injured.”

Shree Krishna Bhandari, president of the Israel chapter of the Non-Resident Nepali Association, asked the Nepalis who are in trouble to contact the embassy and the association. The organisation issued a statement appealing to all to follow security alerts by the Israeli government.

The contact details of the Embassy of Nepal in Israel are:
Tel: +972(0)35168085

Ambassador Kanta Rizal +972545864423

First Secretary Arjun Ghimire +972528289300

Email: [email protected]