KATHMANDU, Oct 12: A new list of hostages believed to be alive in Gaza includes Nepal’s Bipin Joshi, confirming that he is still alive after two years of uncertainty. Earlier, CNN had reported that his condition was unknown.
According to reports from The Times of Israel and the Associated Press, Joshi’s name appears among 22 hostages confirmed to be alive under Hamas captivity.
The truce that began on Friday marks a potential end to the devastating two-year war that began on October 7, 2023. The initial Hamas attack killed around 1,200 people and the abduction of 251 others, while Gaza’s Health Ministry reports that 67,000 Palestinians have been killed during the conflict, half of them women and children. About 90 percent of Gaza’s two million residents have been displaced.
15 months of captivity, Bipin Joshi’s return still in limbo
Of the 251 hostages, 48 remain in Gaza, while 26 have been confirmed dead, including the body of an Israeli soldier killed in 2014. Following the ceasefire, hostage releases are expected between Monday and Tuesday, with Israel preparing to free 2,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange. Among the 22 believed to be alive, Nepal holds hope for Joshi’s safe return.
Bipin Joshi had arrived in Israel just a month before the October 7 attack, as part of an agricultural study and work program at Kibbutz Alumim, near the Gaza border. He is currently believed to be the only non-Israeli hostage still alive in Gaza. Out of the 17 Nepali students at the site, 10 were killed during the attack. Reports say Joshi bravely threw a grenade from a bomb shelter to protect others before being injured and abducted.
Recently, Joshi’s family released a video obtained by the Israeli army, in which he identifies himself, saying:
“My name is Bipin Joshi. I am from Nepal. I came here to learn and work in an agricultural program.”
The video, reportedly recorded in November 2023, is considered proof of his survival, according to his family.
Joshi’s sister, Pushpa Joshi, and mother, Padma Joshi, traveled to Israel to advocate for his release, even reaching out to international communities in the United States for support.
Other hostages listed as alive include Gali Berman, Ziv Berman, Elkana Bohbot, Rom Braslavsky, Nimrod Cohen, Ariel Cunio, David Cunio, Aviatar David, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, Maxim Harkin, Eitan Hern, Segev Kalfon, Bar Kupershtein, Matan Angrest, Omri Miran, Eitan Mor, Tamir Nimrodi, Yosef-Chaim Ohana, Elon Ohel, Avinatan Or, and Matan Jungauker.
