Israel Receives Body of Nepalese Student Bipin Joshi from Hamas

A peace agreement in Gaza is gaining traction, led by a US-backed Middle East summit under President Donald Trump. However, tragedy has overshadowed these diplomatic developments. The body of Bipin Joshi, a young Nepalese student held hostage by Hamas for over two years, has been returned to Israel.

Late Monday night, Nepal's Ambassador to Israel, Dhan Prasad Pandit, told Republica that Joshi's remains were on the way to Tel Aviv. "The body of Bipin Joshi was handed over to Israeli authorities by Hamas and is being taken to Tel Aviv," he said.

Hostage Return and Identification

The Israeli military confirmed that Hamas returned the remains of four hostages, including Joshi. DNA tests will be conducted to formally identify the victims before repatriation. In coordination with the Nepali embassy, Joshi's final rites will take place in Israel.

Joshi was from a small town in Nepal and was a Hindu. He arrived in Israel in September 2023 as part of an agricultural work-study programme, joining Kibbutz Alumim near the Gaza border with 16 other students to learn Israeli farming techniques.

Tragic Events During the Attack

On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a surprise attack on southern Israel. Joshi and his peers sought shelter in a bomb shelter, but militants stormed the area and threw grenades.

One grenade exploded, injuring several people, but Joshi reportedly threw another grenade out of the shelter before it detonated, likely saving lives. Shortly after, he was captured by Hamas militants and taken into Gaza.

Family's Hope and Diplomatic Efforts

Joshi's family held on to hope for over two years. His mother and sister traveled to Israel and the United States, seeking international help for his safe release. Tragically, Joshi would have turned 25 on October 26.

This week's developments also included the release of 20 living hostages by Hamas, marking a step forward in diplomacy while highlighting the human cost of the conflict.

The return of Joshi's remains is a poignant reminder of the losses caused by this conflict, even as peace efforts continue.