The Israeli army on Tuesday confirmed the identification of the bodies of Nepali student Bipin Joshi and Israeli citizen Guy Iluz, among the four hostages returned by Hamas.
The names of the other two hostages have not been made public at the request of their families.
According to an army statement, 26-year-old Guy Iluz was kidnapped during the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, while attending the Nova Music Festival in southern Israel.
He had attempted to flee in a jeep and later hid in a tree, from where he made his last contact with his parents before being captured and taken to Gaza. The army reported that Iluz was wounded during the abduction and later died in captivity due to lack of medical treatment. Although the exact date of his death was not disclosed, his passing was confirmed in December 2023. Iluz worked as a sound technician for renowned Israeli musicians.
22-year-old Nepali student Bipin Joshi had arrived in Israel just three weeks before the Hamas attack to participate in an agricultural training program. He was kidnapped from Kibbutz Alumim, where he was staying at the time. A photo taken before the attack showed him seeking shelter with Thai workers. According to the Israeli army, Joshi was likely killed during the early months of captivity.
Joshi’s classmate Himanchal Kattel told AFP that militants had thrown grenades into the shelter where they were hiding. “Bipin grabbed the grenade and threw it out before it exploded. His bravery saved my life,” Kattel said emotionally.
In a statement, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, a leading Israeli advocacy group, said:
“The return of Guy and Bipin has brought some comfort to families who have endured agonizing uncertainty for over two years. But we will not rest until all 24 remaining hostages are brought home.”
Hamas handed over four bodies as part of the ceasefire agreement mediated by former U.S. President Donald Trump, under which all 20 surviving hostages were released on Monday.
Palestinian militants are still believed to hold the bodies of 24 more hostages, which are expected to be returned soon in accordance with the ceasefire terms.
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