Nepali Hostage in Gaza Not Alive: Israel
Nepali student Bipin Joshi, taken captive by Hamas on 7 October 2023, was not on the list of those freed after the end of the bombardment and fighting in Gaza.
On Monday morning, the Israeli military notified Bipin's family and Nepal's ambassador to Israel, Dhan Prasad Pandit, that there is no evidence of him still being alive.
However, Nepal's Foreign Ministry is yet to be notified by Israel's government of Bipin's status.
A US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect three days prior, and hostage and prisoner exchanges started Monday morning.
- Almost 2,000 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons are expected to be released by Israel in exchange for hostages.
- The bodies of deceased hostages remaining in Gaza are also expected to be returned.
No official statement from Israel's government regarding Bipin's status has been received by Nepal's Foreign Ministry.
Author's summary: Nepal student Bipin Joshi not alive. Israel notifies family, no evidence of him being alive.