On a somber Monday in Kathmandu, the body of Bipin Joshi, a young Nepali student who became a symbol of both tragedy and heroism, returned home after months of anguish and international negotiations. The 22-year-old, once full of promise as he embarked on an agricultural exchange program in southern Israel, was among the hostages taken during the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023—a day that ignited the ongoing war in Gaza and left a deep scar on communities thousands of miles away from the conflict’s epicenter.
Joshi’s remains were flown from Israel’s Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv to Nepal’s Tribhuvan International Airport, arriving on October 20, 2025. From there, his body was taken to his hometown of Bhimdattanagar later that evening, marking the end of a harrowing journey for his family and a nation that had closely followed his fate. According to reports from The Associated Press and South China Morning Post, the repatriation was the result of sustained efforts by the Nepal government, who had sought his release through various diplomatic channels.
Joshi’s story began with hope. He was one of 17 Nepali students studying agriculture at Kibbutz Alumim, located perilously close to the Gaza border. Having arrived in Israel just weeks before the attack, he was eager to learn new farming techniques and immerse himself in a different culture. But that promise was shattered when Hamas militants stormed the kibbutz on October 7, killing 10 Nepali students and injuring six others. Joshi was kidnapped in the chaos, swept into Gaza along with 250 other hostages, according to South China Morning Post.
What set Joshi apart, however, was his reported bravery during the attack. According to a survivor’s account cited by South China Morning Post, Joshi saved several friends by throwing a grenade back at the assailants as they stormed the community. This act of courage, performed under unimaginable pressure, has since become a point of national pride in Nepal. Prime Minister Sushila Karki, speaking at the airport ceremony where Joshi’s coffin arrived draped in the national flag, expressed the nation’s collective grief and admiration. “Bipin’s courage and bravery are a matter of pride for every Nepali,” Karki declared. “He is a son of Nepal, a son of every mother. We will never forget him. He lives in our hearts.”
The aftermath of Joshi’s abduction was marked by desperate attempts at securing his release. Nepal’s Foreign Ministry noted that the government made “various attempts at different levels, to the extent possible, for Joshi’s release while he was in captivity.” Meanwhile, Joshi’s mother and sister traveled to the United States, lobbying the international community—including the United Nations—for intervention. Their efforts, though ultimately unsuccessful, highlighted the far-reaching impact of the conflict and the lengths to which families will go for their loved ones.
For months, hope flickered. The only sign of life from Joshi came in the form of a short video clip, believed to have been filmed in November 2023 and later recovered by the Israeli military. The footage, while brief, was a lifeline for his family and supporters back home. But on October 14, 2023, the Israel Defense Force announced that Joshi had been killed in captivity during the early months of the war. The news was devastating, arriving while his family was still pressing for his release on the international stage.
The return of Joshi’s body to Nepal was not just a family tragedy, but a national event. At Tribhuvan International Airport, a solemn procession unfolded as members of the Nepalese army paid their respects. According to South China Morning Post, Prime Minister Karki spoke directly to the gathered mourners: “Bipin is a son of all Nepali mothers. The name Bipin will be immortal, no one can forget him for his bravery and the hardships he had to face.” The ceremony, attended by government officials, military personnel, and grieving citizens, underscored the deep emotional resonance of Joshi’s story across Nepal.
The broader context of Joshi’s ordeal is inseparable from the wider tragedy of the October 7 attack. The assault on Kibbutz Alumim was part of a larger offensive by Hamas that saw 251 hostages taken into Gaza and sparked a brutal conflict that has continued to claim lives on both sides. For Nepal, a country with a long tradition of sending students and workers abroad, the attack was a grim reminder of the risks faced by its citizens overseas. The loss of ten Nepali students in a single day, and the subsequent kidnapping of Joshi, sent shockwaves through the nation and prompted urgent calls for increased protections for Nepali nationals working and studying abroad.
In Bhimdattanagar, Joshi’s hometown, the grief was palpable. Local residents gathered to pay their respects as his body was brought home, mourning not only the loss of a promising young man but also the dreams he carried with him to Israel. The ceremony was marked by traditional rituals and the presence of community leaders, all united in sorrow and pride. Joshi’s bravery, particularly his actions during the attack, has been widely celebrated, with many calling for his story to be remembered as a testament to the resilience and courage of Nepali youth.
But the story of Bipin Joshi is also a stark illustration of the human cost of geopolitical conflict. His death, like those of so many others caught in the crossfire, has left a void that cannot be filled. The efforts of his family, the Nepal government, and international organizations to secure his release reflect the complex and often heartbreaking realities faced by hostages and their loved ones. Despite these efforts, the outcomes are not always within human control—a truth that has resonated deeply in Nepal and beyond.
As the nation comes to terms with Joshi’s loss, there are renewed calls for greater support and safeguards for Nepali citizens abroad, particularly in regions prone to conflict. The government’s response to the tragedy, including the high-profile tribute paid by Prime Minister Karki, signals a recognition of these concerns and a commitment to honoring the sacrifices made by Nepali nationals on foreign soil.
In the end, Bipin Joshi’s journey—from a hopeful student to a national hero and, tragically, a casualty of war—serves as a poignant reminder of both the vulnerability and strength of those who seek opportunity far from home. His legacy, marked by bravery and sacrifice, will long be remembered in Nepal, where his name has already become synonymous with courage in the face of unimaginable adversity.