Amid heightened tensions between Israel and Iran, Nepal’s ambassador to Israel, Dhan Prasad Pandit, has said that Nepali nationals living and working in Israel are safe and most have taken precautionary measures as instructed by Israeli authorities.

Speaking to the Post from Israeli capital Tel Aviv on Monday, Pandit said although there is general fear due to war, there is no need to worry as of now.

“This war is different from traditional wars. It is supersonic, dominated by technology. As soon as a missile is detected within the Israeli sky, sirens go off immediately. And everyone must rush into a bunker within 90 seconds,” he said.

“Then for around 10 minutes, there may be missile strikes. Once the strikes are over, it is safe to come out,” he said, adding that most of the fighting takes place at night, so everyone is taking extra precautions.

As many as 5,500 Nepali nationals live and work in Israel, which is considered a lucrative destination for foreign employment.

“We live in fear and terror at night,” said a Nepali woman working in Tel Aviv. “During daytime, we feel relatively safe. We Nepalis share our pain and support each other. But no one seems eager to return to Nepal as most of us have become used to the war and know how to take precautions,” she said.

As no one has requested evacuation, the embassy has not initiated any rescue, said Ambassador Pandit. “If someone wants to return home, we will make the necessary arrangements.”

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that around 5,500 Nepalis are currently working in Israel, and only around a dozen in Iran.

“The information received indicates that there are approximately 5,500 Nepalis in Israel and around a dozen in Iran, and all of them are reported to be safe,” the statement read. "The Government of Nepal is closely monitoring developments between Israel and Iran, and all concerned are informed that appropriate measures will be taken to ensure the safety of Nepalis living there."

According to the ministry, Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba has spoken via telephone with Nepali ambassadors based in Tel Aviv (Israel) and Doha (Qatar) on recent developments between Israel and Iran. She instructed them to prioritise the safety of Nepali citizens and act accordingly.

She also directed the ambassadors to stay in regular contact with the Nepali community and consistently disseminate updated information on security advisories issued by the respective countries to keep Nepalis well-informed, according to the ministry.

The Post also spoke to Nagesh Koirala, the mayor of Biratnagar Metropolitan City, who was there on a visit and remains stranded due to the war.

“I have also spoken with the foreign minister back in Nepal and ambassador Pandit is in close contact with me,” said Koriala from Tel Aviv over the phone. “I was planning to leave as soon as the airport reopened, but now I am returning via Jordan to Mumbai on June 18. The closure of Tel Aviv airport has made it difficult to fly to Nepal.”

Over a dozen Israelis were killed in recents attacks by Iran as war entered the fourth day on Monday.

Mayor Koirala had reached Israel to take part in an agricultural training organised by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs starting June 9. The training on off-season fruit production and greenery development was scheduled to continue until June 20.

“I am safe. During missile attacks, I and other Nepali nationals rush to the bunker,” he said.

He said he spoke to several Nepalis and all are fine. “Due to the closure of the international airport, it is difficult to leave,” he said.

Most of the Nepali nationals who are working as caregivers live in apartments, which have strong and safe bunkers, he said. “But those without strong bunkers go to public bunkers,” he added.

Back in Kathmandu, on Monday, Foreign Minister Deuba was briefed by Israeli Ambassador to Nepal, Shmulik Arie Bass, on the ongoing war between Israel and Iran.

According to a statement issued by Deuba’s private secretariat, Ambassador Bass provided updates to Minister Deuba on the Israel-Iran conflict and assured that Nepali nationals in Israel are safe.

On Sunday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had issued a statement confirming the safety of Nepali citizens in both Israel and Iran.

The ministry’s statement clarified that the government of Nepal is closely monitoring the conflict and will take appropriate steps to ensure the safety of Nepali citizens in the two countries.

Meanwhile, according to the Nepali Embassy in Qatar, which also covers Iran, all Nepali nationals living and working in Iran are also safe.

According to Krishna Kumar Subedi, first secretary at the Nepali Embassy in Qatar, as many as 11 Nepalis are living and working in Iran and five Nepalis are in jail. “They landed in Iranian jail while travelling to another country. We were preparing to rescue them but the process was halted due to the war,” said Subedi. “The 11 Nepali nationals who are outside the jail, are safe and in touch with us.”