The Israeli government has started providing long-term financial support to the families of ten Nepali nationals who were killed in the Palestinian militant group Hamas’ October 7 attack.

The Israeli government has also started providing financial compensation to the family of Bipin Joshi, a Kanchanpur local believed to be held hostage by Hamas in Gaza since October last year.

The Nepalis killed in the brutal attack had reached Israel under a ‘learn and earn scheme’. As many as 49 other Nepali students from the Far Western University who had also reached Israel under the same scheme were also residing at the attacked kibbutz. The Nepal government rescued them days after the attack.

The families of the ten murdered students will get a monthly allowance from the Israeli government through the Israel National Insurance, Israeli Ambassador to Nepal Hanan Godar told the Post. The allowances will be given to the parents of the dead students or the widow of one of the victims.

“It will be sent directly to them for as long as they live,” Godar said.

The ten Nepalis who were killed in the attack are Narayan Prasad Neupane of Ghodaghodi-4 in Kailali; Ganesh Kumar Nepali of Jayprithvi-6 in Bajhang; Dipeshraj Bista of Lekam-5 in Darchula; Ananda Sah of Sapahi-6 in Dhanusha; Rajesh Kumar Swarnakar of Madhuban-1 in Sunsari; Rajan Phulara of Pachnali-3 in Doti; Padam Thapa of Lamikhal-8 in Doti; Prabesh Bhandari of Sharada-3 in Salyan; and Lokendra Singh Dhami of Malikarjun-4 in Darchula.

Out of the ten, one Nepali was married, so the Israeli government will provide monthly financial assistance to both his father and widow.

In a recent meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha, the Israeli ambassador communicated that his government has started providing lifetime financial support to the family who were killed by Hamas militants, including the parents of Joshi who is believed to be in the captivity of Hamas.

The envoy added that his government is also committed to providing similar kinds of help to the injured, in case any of them are unable to do physical work and make a living.

“We have started providing compensation to the victims’ families as well as the parents of Joshi,” Godar said. “They will get the monthly compensation starting from last October.”

While Godar declined to disclose the amount, he claimed that the compensation package is decent by Nepali standards.

As many as nine Nepali nationals were reportedly injured in the attack and they have already returned to the country.

“In Israel, the rights of Nepalis are equal to the rights of Israeli victims. [The] same also goes for people kidnapped by Hamas militant group,” Godar said. “As many as 134 hostages, including Bipin Joshi, are in Hamas’ captivity until now. The Nepali students came to Israel as our guests. After the massacre, they were part of our family and it was our duty to look after them.”

The Israeli ambassador also went to Kanchanpur recently and met with the parents of Joshi. Godar assured them that the Israeli government was doing its best for the safe release of Joshi and 133 other hostages. The government of Nepal had 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. “At this critical hour, we convey our solidarity with the Government of Israel.”

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.”

Over 4,500 Nepalis are currently working in Israel as caregivers. A total of 265 Nepali students had reached Israel under the ‘Learn and Earn’ programme of the Israeli government. A few days after the October 7 attack, the Nepal government sent a chartered flight to Israel and evacuated 254 Nepali students rescued from the country.