Tel Aviv: It was a sad end to a long wait for his family in Nepal when the mortal remains of Bipin Joshi were handed over to Israeli authorities by the Hamas recently.
A student, who had been selected for Israel’s ‘Learn and Earn’ agricultural training programme, had reached Kibbutz Alumim, near the Gaza border, barely 25 days before the massive attack by the Hamas on October 7, 2023. He had no role in the conflict that had been going on for years, yet he paid a heavy price.
Joshi was barely 23 when he left his small hometown in Nepal. For him, it was an opportunity to work and study.
Bipin and other Nepali students were working on a citrus farm when gunfire and explosions erupted. Ten of them were killed, five injured and two, including Bipin, were taken hostage.
When Hamas attackers threw grenades into the students’ shelter, Bipin acted without hesitation. He grabbed one grenade and hurled it back before it exploded, saving several lives. Moments later, he was captured and taken into Gaza.
In the weeks that followed, a video released by the Israeli military showed a young man resembling Bipin being dragged into Gaza’s Shifa Hospital. In a 33-second clip, Bipin introduced himself in English, “My name is Bipin Joshi. I am from Nepal. I am 23 years old. I came here to Israel 25 days ago. I came here for the ‘Learn and Earn’ programme. I am a student. I work in agricultural farm[ing] in citrus and lemon farm.”
His sister in Nepal told The New York Times how sent him WhatsApp messages every day but they were never delivered. “Where are you? I miss you so much,” she wrote.
Their mother would speak to her absent son in her sleep, hoping against hope that he would return to her some day.
That hope was dashed when Nepal’s ambassador to Israel, Dhan Prasad Pandit, confirmed to Nepali news outlet Republica that Bipin’s remains were being handed over to Israeli authorities by Hamas.
“The body of Bipin Joshi was handed over to Israeli authorities by Hamas and is being taken to Tel Aviv,” Pandit said.
Israeli military spokesperson Effie Defrin also confirmed that Bipin’s remains were among four deceased hostages returned to Israel. DNA testing is underway before repatriation.
Bipin, who would have turned 25 on October 26 this year, will be remembered, both in Nepal and Israel for his courage that saved lives.
