As the war between Israel and Iran intensifies and Nepalis, mostly in Israel, could get into trouble, the government has decided to rescue its citizens from the two countries.

The decision was taken during a high-level meeting on Friday between foreign and labour ministers and senior officials from ministries of foreign affairs, labour, home and tourism.

A meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs decided to repatriate Nepalis from Israel and Iran and formed a four-member rapid response team, which will assess and monitor the situation and provide feedback to the higher political level to decide on an appropriate model of repatriation and other necessary logistical issues.

“As per the suggestions of the rapid response team, we will take an appropriate decision on rescue and repatriation,” Labour minister Sharat Singh Bhandari told the Post. The rapid response team comprises joint secretaries from the foreign, home, labour and tourism ministries.

“We are on track, ready, and if necessary, we will rescue our citizens,” said Bhandari.

In Iran, there are around 18 Nepali nationals, but a large number of Nepalis, around 5,500 to 7,000, are living and working in Israel.

“But very few Nepalis have expressed their intent to return. As of now, all Nepali nationals in Israel are safe and secure. The rapid response team will be on standby from today [Friday], it will assess the ground situation in coordination with Nepali missions abroad and provide appropriate suggestions to the government. Based on its recommendations, the government will undertake the rescue,” said Bhandari.

Amid escalating tensions, the Nepali Embassy in Israel began registering citizens for potential repatriation on Wednesday. As the conflict continues to escalate, more and more Nepalis have started contacting the embassy in Tel Aviv, requesting assistance to return home.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also issued a separate travel advisory to its citizens living and working in these countries.

As of Friday evening, only 646 Nepali nationals have registered their names on a webpage set up by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. But just 25 people have expressed their interest in returning, according to the foreign ministry.

“We are trying to connect with Nepalis there, collect locations and other details, and understand their needs for further action,” said Lok Bahadur Chhetri, who heads the public diplomacy division at the foreign ministry.

During Friday’s meeting, officials discussed the modality of repatriation.

“We have already informed our honorary consul in Tehran about the situation of Nepali nationals in Iran,” said Chhetri. “We have urged him to facilitate the safe returns of Nepali citizens, and we hope he will coordinate.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also working to set up a dedicated help desk at the ministry to monitor the situation and to extend help to the Nepali citizens in distress, said Chhetri.

“To bring back our citizens from Israel, we will opt for the Libya model, which is considered a successful one,” said Chhetri.

In 2014, Nepalis who were stuck in Libya were brought back with the help of the International Organization of Migration, the Indian government, and others.

But Nepali ambassador to Israel Dhan Prasad Pandit told the Post that the situation is still not favourable for immediate repatriation.

“There is a risk in repatriation via flights, and there is huge congestion at the Libya border. It is unsafe to return via other borders,” Pandit said. “If Libya allows the crossing of foreign nationals, helps with visa facilitation, and provides safe passage, then it is possible.”

Most Nepali nationals are still choosing to stay put due to their high-paid jobs, and many of them are used to the conflict in Israel, he added.

“We can also request the government of India and other countries and organisations for help with repatriation. Based on the recommendation of the rapid response team, we will make an appropriate decision. Our missions are also exploring all possible ways for swift repatriation,” said Bhandari.

In the same meeting, Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba stated that the government of Nepal is preparing to take all possible measures to ensure the safety and rescue of Nepali citizens currently in Israel and Iran, depending on how the situation evolves there. She said preparations are in place to rescue those who wish to return to Nepal.

Rana stated that under the coordination of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nepali Embassy in Israel is working actively and that a registration process has been opened for Nepalis who wish to return.

She said, “It is also Israel’s responsibility to facilitate the safe return or relocation of Nepalis who are there under the G2G (Government-to-Government) agreement. We have already requested the Israeli government to help with travel from border areas to other countries. The Government of Nepal is ready to rescue its citizens if they wish to return.”

During the meeting, Labor Minister Bhandari stated that the ministry is in regular contact with the Nepalis there and emphasised the need for the government to proceed with rescue efforts if people wish to return. He also mentioned that labor permits for those preparing to leave for Israel have been temporarily suspended.

“But,” Bhandari told the Post, “if any Nepali national does not have required documents like passport or labour permit, we will provide them the documents through the Nepali Embassy in Israel. We are ready to bring back any Nepali national, documented or undocumented. In the case of undocumented Nepali nationals, we will offer facilitation facilities.”

On June 13—the very day the war between Israel and Iran began—the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement urging both sides to exercise maximum restraint and resolve their issues through dialogue. The ministry also requested Nepalis in those countries to stay in touch with the respective Nepali embassies.

Subsequently, on June 15, a travel advisory was issued along with contact details, urging Nepali citizens to remain on high alert for their own safety.

On Wednesday, the ministry issued a second travel advisory, again urging Nepalis in Israel and Iran to exercise maximum caution and advising against travel from Nepal to Israel or other Middle Eastern countries for the time being.

Earlier this week, Foreign Minister Rana met with the Israeli Ambassador to Nepal Shmulik Arie Bass and requested the Israeli government to make proper arrangements for the safety of Nepali citizens.

Similarly, the Nepali embassies in Israel and Qatar (which handles matters related to Iran) have been instructed to maintain close contact with relevant government officials, agencies working in the region, and the Nepali community, and to provide real-time reporting to the Foreign Ministry.

Most Nepalis in Israel are in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa.