Nepali Hostage in Gaza
A Nepali student, Bipin Joshi, taken captive by Hamas on 7 October 2023, was not among those freed after the end of the bombardment and fighting in Gaza.
The Israeli military notified Bipin's family and Nepal's ambassador to Israel, Dhan Prasad Pandit, that there is no evidence of him still being alive.
- Almost 2,000 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons are expected to be released by Israel in exchange for hostages.
- The bodies of deceased hostages remaining in Gaza are also expected to be returned.
A US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect three days prior to the notification.
No official notification has been received from Israel's government regarding Bipin's status by Nepal's Foreign Ministry.
Author's summary: Nepali student Bipin Joshi presumed dead.