Nepal Bids Farewell to Student Killed in Hamas Attack

The funeral of Bipin Joshi, the Nepali student taken hostage during the October 2023 Hamas assault in Israel and killed in captivity, was held today on the banks of the Mahakali River in far-western Nepal.

Joshi’s body was brought to his hometown in Bhimdutta Municipality on Monday evening, nearly two years after he was taken hostage by Hamas militants. Hundreds of locals, officials, and security personnel joined the funeral procession this morning, as Nepal’s Armed Police Force offered a ceremonial salute before cremation.

According to local authorities, Joshi died while in Hamas captivity. He had travelled to Israel in 2023 under the “Learn and Earn” programme, along with other Nepali students pursuing agricultural studies. Eight of his compatriots from Sudurpaschim Province were killed in the same attack.

The return of Joshi’s remains has brought a somber closure to a tragedy that had left Nepal grieving and waiting for answer.