Kathmandu, Aug. 25 -- A group of prominent civil society members in Nepal, including former chief justice Kalyan Shrestha, former foreign minister Bhekh Bahadur Thapa, former vice chancellor of the Tribhuvan University Kedar Bhakta Mathema and former chief election commissioner Bhojraj Pokharel, has strongly condemned what they described as a "genocide" in Gaza.

They have urged the immediate release of abducted civilians, including Nepali national Bipin Joshi.

Issuing a statement on Monday, the signatories expressed grave concern over the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza, where more than 70,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed since Israel launched its retaliatory offensive following the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023...