The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that the condition of Nepali student Bipin Joshi, who has been held captive by the Hamas group for the past two years, remains unknown.
According to the ministry, a virtual meeting was held today at 7:30 a.m. Israel local time, involving officials from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the Nepali Ambassador to Israel, Joshi’s brother, mother, and sister, as well as representatives from the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Prime Minister’s Office.
During the meeting, the Israeli army informed that Joshi’s name was not included among those hostages being released today and that his current status is still unknown, the ministry said in its official statement.
The exchange of hostages took place today as part of the first phase of the proposed “Middle East Peace Plan”, aimed at ending the Israel-Hamas conflict, which began on October 7, 2023.
Joshi, who was participating in Israel’s “Learn and Earn” program, was captured by Hamas on the day the conflict began. It had been expected that his name would appear on the list of hostages to be released.
The Government of Nepal has been making diplomatic efforts at various levels over the past two years for his safe release.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it will continue to provide updates on the matter until the release of all living hostages and the repatriation of the remains of deceased captives are completed.
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