KATHMANDU:- The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have said that there is no evidence showing that Bipin Joshi, a Nepali student held captive by Hamas since October 7, 2023, is alive.
This information was conveyed during a video conference this morning at 7:30 AM local time, involving Nepal’s Ambassador to Israel, Dhan Prasad Pandit, Joshi’s sister Pushpa Joshi, and other family members.
Ambassador Pandit reported that IDF officials stated, “There wasn’t any evidence showing his status as alive,” confirming that Joshi is not among the hostages released today under the Gaza ceasefire agreement.
Joshi, now 25, arrived in Israel from Nepal to pursue agricultural studies under the “Learn and Earn” program. During the October 7, 2023, attack on Kibbutz Alumim, he was taken hostage by Hamas. Ten Nepali students were killed in the attack, and Joshi was among the survivors abducted.
The IDF had previously recovered a video believed to have been filmed in November 2023, showing Joshi alive in Hamas captivity. However, officials emphasised that this footage cannot confirm his current status, and there is still no verified information regarding whether he is alive or deceased.