Captured in the Crossfire: The Agonizing Wait for Nepali Hostage Bipin Joshi’s Return

KalimNews, October 3, 2025 : The tragic and heart-wrenching situation of Bipin Joshi, a Nepali student, highlights the grim realities of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the deeply personal consequences for families caught in the crossfire. Bipin was abducted on October 7, 2023, during Hamas’s brutal attack on Kibbutz Alumim in Israel, where he had been studying agriculture. He was one of many hostages taken, including his fellow Nepali students, some of whom lost their lives during the attack.

The Joshi family's campaign to bring Bipin home has become an emotional and diplomatic ordeal. Despite the efforts of both Nepal and Israel to secure his release, there remains no clear answer as to whether he is alive or in what condition he is being held. Bipin’s bravery, as reported by survivors, in throwing back a live grenade to save lives, has been widely recognized, but it has not led to his freedom.

The political backdrop in Nepal has further complicated the situation, with the country experiencing its own internal struggles due to widespread protests and a political upheaval. The foreign ministry, already strained, has been unable to devote the necessary attention to Bipin’s case, leaving his family in a state of limbo. Pushpa Joshi, his sister, has been vocal in seeking international help, while his mother, Padma Joshi, has become emotionally distraught, often speaking to her absent son in her sleep.

Nepali community solidarity has been vital, with Pushpa even traveling to Israel as part of efforts to garner international attention to Bipin's case. Her appearance at 'Hostages Square' in Tel Aviv, where she shared her deep sorrow and the emotional toll on her family, became a rallying point for both Nepali and Israeli communities, calling for the hostages' release.

Meanwhile, Ganesh Kumar Nepali, another Nepali student, tragically lost his life in the same attack. He, along with several other Nepali and Thai workers, was killed in the violence that swept Kibbutz Alumim. Ganesh had been part of the agricultural "learn and earn" program, a program that aimed to give young Nepali students like him a chance to learn farming while supporting their families. His family's pain, as reflected in his final moments' last messages, is a testament to the human cost of the conflict. Ganesh's family and the Nepali community mourn the loss of a bright, talented young man.

This complex tragedy underscores the global nature of the conflict, impacting not only Israelis and Palestinians but also foreign nationals who find themselves trapped in the violence, whether through direct involvement or as innocent bystanders. The calls for the release of Bipin Joshi and the recognition of the bravery shown by him and his fellow hostages highlight the need for greater international diplomatic intervention and awareness in cases like this.

In response to the ongoing political unrest in Nepal, it is important for the Nepali government to balance its internal crises with its external obligations, especially when the lives of its citizens are at risk. Nepal's foreign ministry, despite being overstretched, must prioritize Bipin Joshi's release and ensure that Nepali citizens abroad, particularly those in conflict zones, are adequately supported through both diplomatic channels and international collaborations.

The international community, too, has a role to play—both in demanding an end to the hostage situation and ensuring that the voices of those who are caught in the conflict, like Bipin and his fellow Nepali students, are heard on the world stage. The growing focus on this issue could spur more active and urgent efforts for their safe return.