Kathmandu, Oct 21 - The body of Nepali student Bipin Joshi, who heroically saved many lives during the Hamas attack in Israel two years ago, has been returned to Kathmandu from Tel Aviv for his last rites.
Bipin Joshi, a 23-year-old participant in Israel's Learn and Earn Programme, was captured along with others by Hamas in Kibbutz Alumim on October 7, 2023. The Israeli military confirmed that he was killed in captivity during the early months of the conflict.
Nepal's Prime Minister, Sushila Karki, honored Bipin's remains at Tribhuvan International Airport on Monday, stating that he will “always live in the hearts of every Nepali.” His body was draped in Nepal’s national flag as a tribute.
Karki expressed that while Bipin is no longer with us physically, his courage and sacrifice will be remembered by the nation. “He is a brave Nepali youth — a true son of Nepal,” she remarked. She also shared her wish that Bipin would return safely to a hero's welcome, expressing deep sorrow upon learning of his passing.
The Prime Minister offered her heartfelt condolences to Bipin’s family, acknowledging the enduring efforts of his mother and sister throughout the challenging two-year ordeal.
Later, Bipin's body was transported to his home district, Kanchanpur, in Western Nepal by a Nepali Army helicopter, where his family will conduct his final rites according to religious traditions.
A farewell ceremony in his honor was held at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel, prior to the body's repatriation to Nepal.
Bipin was among 17 Nepali students in the Learn and Earn program in southern Israel when Hamas launched a surprise attack on October 7, 2023. Ten of these students were killed in the assault, and Bipin was taken hostage. Six other Nepali students managed to escape to safety.
Recently, after nearly two years, Hamas returned Bipin’s body to the Israeli government, which was then sent back to Nepal.
A ceasefire in Gaza on October 10 marked the end of the Israel-Hamas war. As part of the initial stage of US President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan, all remaining 20 living hostages held by Hamas were released to Israel. The mortal remains of several deceased hostages are also being handed over.
Under this peace plan, Israel agreed to release nearly 2,000 prisoners and detainees.
Israel initiated the conflict in Gaza following Hamas's attack on Israeli cities on October 7, 2023, which resulted in about 1,200 Israeli deaths and 251 hostages. Some of these hostages were released earlier in the conflict.
Since then, Israeli military operations have led to the deaths of over 66,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry.
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