KATHMANDU: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba has said that the Government of Nepal is preparing to take all possible measures for the safety and evacuation of Nepali citizens currently residing in Israel and Iran in light of the escalating conflict between the two countries.

Speaking at a joint meeting held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with officials from the Ministries of Labour, Employment and Social Security, Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, and Home Affairs, Minister Rana stated that the government is ready to repatriate any Nepalis who wish to return home due to the ongoing war.

Minister Rana informed that the Embassy of Nepal in Israel, under the coordination of the Foreign Ministry, has already opened registration for those willing to return. She emphasized that arrangements for their repatriation are underway.

“The Israeli government has been requested to assist Nepali citizens who entered under the G2G (government-to-government) labor agreement, to either return to Nepal or relocate to safer zones,” said Rana. “The Government of Nepal is fully prepared to evacuate those who wish to return.”

At the same meeting, Labour Minister Sharath Singh Bhandari said the ministry is in constant contact with Nepalis in Israel and will coordinate evacuations if needed.

He added that final labor approvals for those preparing to leave for Israel have currently been suspended.On June 13, the day hostilities began between Israel and Iran, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement urging both sides to exercise maximum restraint and resolve the conflict through dialogue.

It also requested Nepalis in the affected countries to remain in contact with the respective Nepali embassies. A follow-up travel advisory was issued on June 15, urging Nepali nationals to exercise maximum caution. As air routes remain suspended in the region, the Ministry has directed all Nepali missions in the Gulf to assist those who wish to move to safer or neighboring countries by facilitating online visa services.

The Foreign Ministry has launched an online portal to collect information from Nepalis wishing to be evacuated. Over 600 individuals have registered on the platform as of now, and the number continues to grow.

In its second advisory issued on Wednesday, the ministry again urged Nepalis currently in Israel and Iran to remain highly cautious and advised against any non-essential travel from Nepal to Israel or other Middle Eastern nations at this time.

Earlier this week, Foreign Minister Rana met with Israeli Ambassador to Nepal, Shmulik Arie Bass, and requested arrangements to ensure the safety of Nepali citizens in Israel.

The Ministry has instructed the Nepali embassies in Israel and Qatar (which oversees Iran) to establish close contact with local authorities, international agencies, and the Nepali community. These missions have been asked to provide real-time updates to the ministry.

Currently, around 5,500 to 7,000 Nepalis are believed to be in Israel, mainly in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa. In Iran, there are 18 Nepalis.