Results for: Hostage Crisis

The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, arrived in Nepal on Tuesday for his first-ever visit to the country. During his two-day visit, the Emir is expected to discuss the working conditions of Nepalese migrant workers in Qatar, as well as the ongoing hostage crisis involving a Nepalese student held by Hamas. Around 400,000 Nepali workers, mostly employed in construction and manual labor, are currently in Qatar. Concerns have been raised regarding extreme heat, inadequate living facilities, and abuse faced by these workers. The Qatar-based Human Rights Watch has urged Qatar, Nepal, and Bangladesh to prioritize labor protection for migrant workers. Additionally, Nepali officials are likely to seek the Emir’s assistance in securing the release of Bipin Joshi, a local held hostage by Hamas since October. The militant group had captured Joshi along with other Nepalese students studying near the Gaza Strip. The Emir’s visit comes amid Qatar’s ongoing role as a mediator in the Gaza conflict. The country has played a key role in negotiating a brief halt to the fighting in November, leading to the release of hostages.

Rabbi Sanford D. Akselrad of Congregation Ner Tamid in Henderson, Nevada, emphasized the importance of universal freedom during a Passover Seder attended by about 250 people. The focus was on the hostages still held captive by Hamas terrorists in Israel, and an empty table with posters of the hostages served as a reminder of their absence. U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen, a member of Congregation Ner Tamid, discussed efforts to bring the hostages home and provide aid to Gaza and Ukraine. The Seder took on a different meaning this year, with attendees acknowledging that true freedom could not be celebrated while hostages remained in captivity.

Passover, the Jewish holiday commemorating freedom from slavery, was observed in Israel under the shadow of ongoing conflict and the continued detention of 133 hostages by Hamas. While some families marked the holiday with traditional rituals and symbolic acts of remembrance, others protested outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s home, demanding a deal to release the hostages.