Nepal’s interim prime minister paid tribute to Bipin Joshi on Monday as the nation mourned the return of the young agriculture student, who was a hostage in Gaza. During a solemn ceremony at Kathmandu’s airport, Prime Minister Sushila Karki draped a national flag over Joshi’s coffin, honoring him as a hero and a son to all Nepali mothers.
Karki emphasized the bravery displayed by Joshi, who was only 22 when he was taken captive by Hamas during an attack on October 7, 2023. “The name Bipin will be immortal; no one can forget him for his bravery and the hardships he had to face,” she stated.
Joshi’s ordeal began shortly after he arrived in Israel, where he was studying agriculture. He was kidnapped from a kibbutz during the assault that claimed the lives of ten Nepali nationals. Reports from survivors indicate that Joshi showed remarkable courage by throwing a grenade at the assailants in an effort to protect his friends.
For the family, news of Joshi’s tragic fate was slow to arrive. They received a glimmer of hope through a short video clip believed to have been filmed in November 2023 and later recovered by Israeli forces. However, their hopes were shattered when the Israeli government confirmed his death on October 14.
His cousin, Kishor Joshi, expressed the family’s deep sorrow, revealing their heart-wrenching wait for two years, hopeful for his return. “We really hoped he would come home—but in vain,” he recounted.
Israeli officials described Joshi as a student who aimed to build a better future for himself, and extended condolences to his family. His remains are set to be transported back to Kanchanpur in southwestern Nepal, where his loved ones are waiting to lay him to rest.
In their tribute, Israel labeled Joshi’s passing as the loss of “an innocent life, full of promise, stolen too soon.” The ceremony in Kathmandu reflected the profound grief felt across Nepal as the nation remembers the sacrifices made by one of its own.
