KATHMANDU: Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr Arzu Rana Deuba, today held a telephonic conversation with her Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty, requesting the latter for an initiation to free Nepali hostage Bipin Joshi who has been held by Hamas in Gaza for 15 months.

Following a ceasefire deal between the government of Israel and Hamas, the Hamas has started freeing hostages beginning Sunday. The Foreign Minister urged Egypt, which is facilitating the ceasefire negotiations, to prioritize Joshi’s release in the first phase.

The Minister who is presently in Bangkok for her medical checkup made the call from there.

In response, the Egyptian Minister assured that he would direct Egypt’s facilitators to work toward Joshi’s release.

A few days ago, Dr Rana also spoke with Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, and Israel’s Foreign Minister, Gideon Sa’ar, requesting their intervention in setting the Nepali hostage free in the initial phase. Khulaifi plays a key role in the Israel-Hamas peace talks.

The Nepali government has been actively engaged in diplomatic efforts since last year, seeking Bipin’s release. The Foreign Minister has been appealing through various international and regional forums, as well as the United Nations, to facilitate for ensuring Bipin’s release.