Memorial foundation stone laid in Tikapur for 11 Nepali students killed in October 7 Hamas attack

Kailali, March 15: A memorial will be built at the premises of Faculty of Agriculture of Sudurpashchim University in Tikapur to honor 11 Nepali students who were killed in the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack in Israel.

The foundation stone for the memorial was laid on Sunday by Israel’s Ambassador to Nepal, Smulik Arie Bass, during a ceremony held at the campus. University officials, faculty members, staff and students were present at the event.

The campus council said it decided to construct the memorial within the campus premises to preserve the memory of the students who lost their lives in the attack. The monument is expected to serve as a lasting tribute to their aspirations and contributions.

The students from the Faculty of Agriculture had been in Israel under a study programme designed to provide hands-on exposure to advanced Israeli agricultural technology and practices.

They were among the victims when Hamas launched its unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023.

The incident had sparked widespread grief across Nepal. University officials said the planned memorial will ensure that the memory of the students — who had travelled abroad to gain knowledge and skills in modern agriculture — remains alive for future generations.