October 7, 2023- Bipin Joshi, a 23-year-old Nepali agriculture student, was abducted by Hamas militants during their attack on Kibbutz Alumim in Israel. Joshi was in Israel as part of the Learn and Earn Program (Far-West University), along with 48 other Nepali students undergoing training at the Ramat Negev International Training Center for Advanced Agriculture. Nepalis sought shelter in a bunker near the Gaza area after hearing sirens.
October 12, 2023- The government of Nepal sends a Nepal Airlines flight and repatriates 254 Nepalis and brings them home on the next day (October 13).
October 17, 2023- An additional 19 Nepalis were rescued from Israel’s Tel Aviv via an Indian rescue plane.
November 11, 2023- The Nepal government dispatched a DNA collection team to Joshi's home to check samples against unclaimed bodies. No matches were found.
15 months of captivity, Bipin Joshi’s return still in limbo
November 20, 2023- The Israel Defense Force released CCTV footage from October 7, where Bipin Joshi was identified by his family and friends as the man in blue clothes and slippers being dragged by militants. Footage also showed Joshi alive at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza on the same day.
November 24, 2023- Minister Saud urged Qatar's State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Soltan bin Saad Al-Muraikhi, to take initiatives for the release of Bipin Joshi from the captivity of Hamas.
December 5, 2023- Foreign Minister NP Saud requests Qatar's Ambassador to Nepal, Mishal Mohammad Al Ansari, to take all measures for the release of Joshi.
December 16, 2023- Some Nepali and Thai workers hid in other locations while Joshi and several others tried to rescue the wounded. Hamas militants took Joshi and other Thai students hostage.
April 23, 2024- President Ram Chandra Paudel requests the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, to help secure the release of Bipin Joshi, held hostage by Hamas.
May 19, 2024- Bipin Joshi’s family meets PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal to seek support for Bipin’s release.
May 31, 2024- The Israeli Ambassador to Nepal, Hanan Goder, demands the unconditional release of all 125 people, including Bipin Joshi.
October 8, 2024- The BBC reported that Israeli intelligence confirms Bipin Joshi’s phone was located in Gaza.
January 8, 2025- Arzu Rana appeals to Israeli Ambassador to Nepal Shmulik Arie Bass at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to take immediate action to secure the release of Bipin Joshi.
January 17, 2025- The Ministry of Home Affairs in Kathmandu welcomes the ‘Agreement for the Release of Hostages and Ceasefire in Gaza’ expressing hope for Bipin’s safe return.
