After 738 Days, Nepali Student Bipin Joshi – The Only Hindu Hostage Held by Hamas – Declared Dead

Kathmandu / Jerusalem: After 738 days in Hamas captivity, Bipin Joshi, a 23-year-old Nepali student and the only Hindu hostage held by the militant group, has been officially declared dead. The confirmation came more than two years after his abduction during the October 7, 2023, Hamas assault on southern Israel, a day that also marked the start of one of the bloodiest Middle East conflicts in decades.

The heartbreaking news of Joshi’s death came even as Hamas released 20 live hostages as part of a ceasefire deal brokered by the United States and regional mediators. The announcement sent waves of grief through Nepal, where hopes had persisted for Joshi’s safe return.

Joshi had only recently arrived in Israel as part of the “Learn and Earn” agricultural exchange program, designed to train international students in Israeli farming and agri-technology practices. He was stationed at Kibbutz Alumim, a community located just a few kilometers from the Gaza border, along with 16 fellow Nepali students.

During the October 7 attack, Joshi displayed remarkable courage. As Hamas militants stormed the kibbutz, a grenade was thrown into a bunker where the Nepali students had taken refuge. Joshi narrowly escaped the explosion, helping save several lives, though ten of his colleagues tragically lost their lives in the assault.

In the days that followed, conflicting reports fueled hopes that Bipin might still be alive. A video released weeks later showed Joshi identifying himself: “My name is Bipin Joshi. I’m from Nepal. I am 23 years old. I came here for the ‘Learn and Earn’ program. I am a student.” The clip, verified by Israeli intelligence and shared with his family, became a symbol of hope across Nepal.

However, on Monday, the Qassam Brigades—the military wing of Hamas—announced that the bodies of four hostages, including Joshi, would be handed over to Israel. The others named were Guy Ilouz, Yossi Sharabi, and Daniel Peretz.

At approximately 7:30 a.m. local time, Israeli authorities informed Nepali Ambassador to Israel Dhana Prasad Pandit, Joshi’s sister Pushpa, and family member Kishor Joshi via a video conference about the tragic confirmation. Red Cross representatives are coordinating with Israeli officials to retrieve the bodies for DNA verification before repatriation to Nepal.

Over the past two years, Joshi’s mother Padma and sister Pushpa have made multiple visits to Israel, meeting key leaders including President Isaac Herzog and Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, urging them to expedite efforts for his release. Their emotional appeals had kept Joshi’s story alive in international media.

Nepali officials had also reached out to governments in the United States, Qatar, Jordan, and Egypt to seek support in securing Joshi’s release. Despite these efforts, his name did not appear in the latest list of freed hostages announced earlier this week.

Ambassador Pandit stated that international rescue teams and foreign specialists have been searching the Gaza tunnel network, which stretches nearly 400 miles underground, in ongoing efforts to locate missing captives and recover remains.

Israeli authorities, in coordination with the Nepali Embassy in Tel Aviv, confirmed that Joshi’s body will be respectfully handed over to his family to perform final rites according to Hindu customs. Officials also assured that all necessary formalities would be handled with dignity and precision.

Family members revealed that Bipin had written emotional notes before his abduction, urging his loved ones to “take care of each other and stay strong no matter what happens.” His final recorded message, “Stay resilient and keep your eyes on the future,” continues to echo across Nepal as a reminder of his bravery and faith.

— Reported by Ashish, Senior Editor, The Fox Daily News. Delivering verified, compassionate, and factual reporting based on credible sources and firsthand expertise.