As Hamas returned hostages from across the border in Israel, all hopes ended for the family of Bipin Joshi in Nepal who have been waiting with bated breath for the return of their son. Two years after he was kidnapped, Joshi, the only known Hindu hostage, was in Hamas captivity after the group attacked Israel on Oct 7, 2023. He has now been confirmed dead, with the body handed over to Nepalese ambassador to Israel, Dhan Prasad Pandit. 

Joshi is, however, remembered for his bravery that he showed during the Hamas attack, when he saved his classmates. His body has now returned to Israel, giving a closure to his grieving family and shattering the last ray of hope they had. While the world celebrated the release, grief and sorrow burdened others. 

Social media is now filled with posts praising Joshi, along with the video that Hamas had released during the time of his captivity.

Went to study agriculture, Joshi’s fate changed on Oct 7

Bipin Joshi had reached Israel a month before the brutal attack of Hamas. He was there for an internship in the Agriculture program at Kibbutz Alumim near the Gaza border, when Hamas terrorists launched the deadliest attack in Israel, killing over 1,200, and taking many others hostages. 

Joshi was believed to be the only non-Israeli and the only Hindu hostage to be alive in Gaza. On Monday, his remains were handed over to Israeli authorities. 

“The body of Bipin Joshi was handed over to Israeli authorities by Hamas and is being taken to Tel Aviv,” Nepal’s Ambassador to Israel, Dhan Prasad Pandit, confirmed to Republica.

Israeli military spokesperson Effie Defrin also confirmed receiving bodies of four hostages, including Joshi’s. A DNA test will be carried out before his remains are repatriated to Nepal.

Bipin Joshi’s bravery on October 7, 2023

Joshi reached Israel in September 2023, joining 16 other students for an agricultural study and work programme. On October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists’ attacks shook the country. According to reports, when they were throwing grenades inside houses, Joshi grabbed one live grenade and threw it out before it could explode.

Then also, he risked his life and saved many others, according to Times of Israel. However, injured in the act, Joshi was taken away by Hamas gunmen into Gaza, only to never return. 

His last known visual is the one shared by the Israeli military where Joshi was seen being dragged into Gaza’s Shifa Hospital. Since then, his mother and younger sister, Pushpa, travelled to Kathmandu multiple times. From Israel to the United States, the efforts to get him out from Hamas custody has become a story of resilience. 

Eynat Shlein of Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation (MASHAV), on whose programme Joshi went to Israel, shared a photo with his mother and sister on October 12.

“A few weeks ago I met Bipin Joshi’s mother and sister: Bipin is a student, who arrived in #Israel from #Nepal in Sep 2023, for the Internship in Agriculture program, regulated by @MASHAVisrael. He was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists on Oct 7 2023 and is still held hostage. As we wait for hostages release soon, we continue praying for him #BringThemHome,” she had said.

The family met Israel’s President Isaac Herzog as part of a delegation of hostage families in August this year.