Jan 14, Kathmandu- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is continuing diplomatic initiatives for the release of Nepali youth Bipin Joshi, who is being held by the Palestinian rebel group Hamas.

Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba has taken the initiative with the Qatari government after news emerged that some of those held by Hamas were about to be released.

Rana is urging countries that are in contact with Hamas and mediating a ceasefire to take further steps to secure Bipin's release.

Meanwhile, Minister Dr. Rana had a phone conversation with Qatar's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi on Tuesday morning. Minister Dr. Khulaifi is the chief negotiator and mediator for the peace talks with Hamas on behalf of the Qatari government.

Minister Dr. Rana, in a phone conversation with Qatari Minister Dr. Khulaifi, requested special initiatives for the release of Bipin, as there was news that Hamas was planning to release some of its prisoners.

Minister Dr. Rana, mentioning that Qatar has always been a friendly and friendly country of Nepal, appealed to Qatar to take special initiatives for the release of Nepali youth Bipin, as Qatar is in contact with Hamas and is taking special initiatives to bring about a ceasefire for peace talks.

During the conversation, Qatari Minister Dr. Khulaifi informed that the issue of bringing Hamas to a ceasefire with Israel is progressing positively and replied that the Qatari government is taking initiatives for the release of the kidnapped.

Qatari Minister Dr. Khulaifi said that they have also prioritized appealing for the release of Nepali youth Bipin.

He said that he was confident that Bipin would be released as soon as possible, as they had initially announced the release of some prisoners. If this was not possible, he would release the remaining prisoners.

Earlier, Minister Dr. Rana had also requested the Egyptian government to assist in the release of Bipin. The Egyptian government is also taking initiatives for a ceasefire by staying in touch with Hamas.

Last week, she had requested special initiatives from both countries for Bipin's release through the ambassadors of Egypt and Qatar to Nepal.

Earlier, she also made a request to the Israeli government through Israeli Ambassador to Nepal Samuel Ari Bass last week.

Ambassador Bass told Minister Dr. Rana that Hamas was planning to release 34 people. He informed that the Israeli government had received a list of the elderly, women, children, and people with critical health conditions.

On October 7, 2023, the Palestinian Hamas group attacked Israeli territory and killed more than a thousand people, including 10 Nepalese.

Soon after, they kidnapped some people, including Bipin Joshi. The Nepalese government is continuing its diplomatic efforts for Bipin's release.