Nepali Student's Family Begs for His Safe Return After Hamas Abduction

 KATHMANDU, JUNE 12 – The family of Bipin Joshi, a 25-year-old Nepali student captured by Hamas during their October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, has made a heartfelt appeal for his release. They emphasized that Bipin has no connection to the Gaza conflict and was simply there to study.

Bipin was one of 17 Nepali students studying agriculture in Israel when the attack happened. He had earned his place through a competitive government program and had only been in Israel for three weeks—it was his first time outside Nepal.

“He’s an innocent student with a bright future ahead,” said his 17-year-old sister, Pushpa Joshi. She shared how Bipin had saved lives during the attack by throwing a live grenade away from the shelter where he and others were hiding. He was then taken by militants to Gaza. Since then, the family has seen security footage showing Bipin alive in a Gaza hospital, but they haven’t received any updates since.

Pushpa, who was just 15 when her brother was kidnapped, now travels for hours by bus from their hometown in western Nepal to Kathmandu. She regularly meets government officials, including the prime minister and president, urging them to do more to bring Bipin home. Nepal’s government says it has requested help from countries like Qatar and Egypt.

“We believe with all our hearts that he’s alive and will return safely,” Pushpa said. “We haven’t given up hope.”

Ten of the Nepali students were killed in the attack, and six were injured. Bipin is the only known Nepali still being held hostage. In total, Hamas-led militants killed about 1,200 people and took 251 hostages. Around 53 hostages are still being held, but only about 20 are believed to be alive. So far, Israeli forces have rescued eight hostages and recovered dozens of bodies.

Back home, Bipin’s family watches the news constantly, clinging to any sign of a possible release. “The TV stays on all day at our house,” said Pushpa.

She described Bipin as not just her brother but her best friend. “We used to sing and dance in the rain together,” she said. “He worked so hard to get that scholarship.”

Bipin was studying at Kibbutz Alumim, near the Gaza border—a region known for its farming. Many Nepalis travel to Israel for education and jobs, especially to learn modern farming methods. Agriculture is a vital part of Nepal’s economy, supporting over 60% of its people.