The remains of Bipin Joshi, a 23-year-old Nepali Hindu student hailed as a hero for his actions during the October 7 Hamas attack in Israel, have been repatriated to Tel Aviv by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF). Joshi, who was taken captive by Hamas from Kibbutz Alumim, is believed to have lost his life while in captivity early in the conflict.
Israeli officials confirmed that Joshi was one of four deceased hostages whose bodies were handed over by Hamas on Monday as a part of the Gaza ceasefire agreement brokered by Donald Trump. As per the terms of the ceasefire deal, Hamas released 20 surviving hostages in exchange for Israel freeing 1,968 Palestinian detainees.
“The body of the Nepali hero who valiantly saved numerous lives during the Hamas assault on October 7 in Israel will be returned to his family for a proper burial,” stated the IDF in an official announcement. The military assured that Joshi’s remains would be treated with respect before being sent back home.
Bipin Joshi was part of Israel’s Learn and Earn Programme at Kibbutz Alumim, where foreign students engage in studies and work in agricultural settings. During the attack by Hamas militants on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of ten Nepali workers and injuries to five others, Joshi bravely defended his colleagues. Witnesses recounted how Joshi’s swift actions saved the lives of 17 individuals that day.
Joshi’s demise was confirmed during a meeting between Israeli authorities, Nepali Ambassador to Israel Dhan Prasad Pandit, and Joshi’s family on Monday. After campaigning globally for his release and seeking information in both Israel and the United States, Joshi’s family is now preparing for his final rites in Nepal.
The IDF is making arrangements to bring back Joshi’s body for a state-supported burial. Both the Nepali government and Israeli authorities have offered assistance to Joshi’s family during this difficult time.
In addition to Bipin Joshi, the Israeli military identified another victim as Guy Iluz, an Israeli national. The names of the two remaining hostages were kept confidential at the request of their families.
The Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7 resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 individuals, mostly civilians, and the taking of 251 hostages. In response, Israel initiated a military operation. Among those affected were 17 Nepali nationals working in the area.
After more than two years of conflict, US President Donald Trump signed a significant document on the Gaza ceasefire on Monday, alongside mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, marking a historic breakthrough for peace in the Middle East. The signing took place during an international summit held in Sharm el-Sheikh, hosted by Egypt.