The ceasefire in Gaza has sparked new optimism for the Joshi family in western Nepal, who are awaiting news of their son Bipin, a Nepali agriculture student taken hostage by Hamas. Despite some hope that the ceasefire might facilitate his release, the family remains anxious as Bipin is not expected to be prioritized in the initial exchanges.
Renewed Hope for Nepali Family as Ceasefire Stirs Talks of Hostage Release
Renewed Hope for Nepali Family as Ceasefire Stirs Talks of Hostage Release
The Joshi family in Nepal clings to hope for the return of their son Bipin, who was kidnapped by Hamas amid the ongoing Gaza conflict, as a ceasefire agreement emerges.
In a quiet village in western Nepal, Mahananda Joshi sat anxiously at home on Thursday, his phone always within reach and never silenced. He waited for news about his son, Bipin Joshi, a 23-year-old agriculture student abducted by Hamas during their attack on 7 October 2023.
Bipin was among many foreign workers taken hostage alongside Israelis, and although 24 captives were released—mostly Thai nationals—a grim fate remains for Bipin and nine others. Each time Mahananda’s phone rings, he hopes it will be his son, but instead, it is the voices of others, each call a jarring reminder of his absence.
As the family awaited updates, Padma, Bipin's mother, recounted their last conversation on 6 October, just before her son was seized. He had assured her of his well-being, smiling as he showed off his new clothes. Yet, the next glimpse they had of him was through chilling footage from the Al-Shifa hospital, confirming he was alive.
Despite the lack of concrete information on Bipin's current state, Nepal's ambassador to Israel, Dhan Prasad Pandit, conveyed his commitment to keeping in touch with the family. However, Mahananda expressed their growing sense of isolation, lamenting, "Since the new ceasefire agreement, no one has come to see us or communicated with us at all. Everything we know comes from the news."
The announcement of a ceasefire has ignited a spark of hope within the Joshi family. "I feel like he will message me today or tomorrow saying mummy, I am free now and I will return home immediately," said Padma, although they are aware it might take longer for Bipin's release, as initial priorities focus on elderly, women, and children.
Both Mahananda and Padma recounted the heartbreaking experience of being left mostly alone amidst the ongoing conflict while fearing rapid changes that could thwart their hopes. Mahananda worried, “Everything could fall apart,” conveying the pain of uncertainty.
Puspa, Bipin’s younger sister, clung to his photo, her eyes welling with tears as she spoke of their joyful reunion, determined that when they see him again, it will be an embrace filled with deep love and longing. The family’s ordeal, like that of many others separated by the conflict, continues as they hold onto the faint whispers of hope the ceasefire has rekindled.
Bipin was among many foreign workers taken hostage alongside Israelis, and although 24 captives were released—mostly Thai nationals—a grim fate remains for Bipin and nine others. Each time Mahananda’s phone rings, he hopes it will be his son, but instead, it is the voices of others, each call a jarring reminder of his absence.
As the family awaited updates, Padma, Bipin's mother, recounted their last conversation on 6 October, just before her son was seized. He had assured her of his well-being, smiling as he showed off his new clothes. Yet, the next glimpse they had of him was through chilling footage from the Al-Shifa hospital, confirming he was alive.
Despite the lack of concrete information on Bipin's current state, Nepal's ambassador to Israel, Dhan Prasad Pandit, conveyed his commitment to keeping in touch with the family. However, Mahananda expressed their growing sense of isolation, lamenting, "Since the new ceasefire agreement, no one has come to see us or communicated with us at all. Everything we know comes from the news."
The announcement of a ceasefire has ignited a spark of hope within the Joshi family. "I feel like he will message me today or tomorrow saying mummy, I am free now and I will return home immediately," said Padma, although they are aware it might take longer for Bipin's release, as initial priorities focus on elderly, women, and children.
Both Mahananda and Padma recounted the heartbreaking experience of being left mostly alone amidst the ongoing conflict while fearing rapid changes that could thwart their hopes. Mahananda worried, “Everything could fall apart,” conveying the pain of uncertainty.
Puspa, Bipin’s younger sister, clung to his photo, her eyes welling with tears as she spoke of their joyful reunion, determined that when they see him again, it will be an embrace filled with deep love and longing. The family’s ordeal, like that of many others separated by the conflict, continues as they hold onto the faint whispers of hope the ceasefire has rekindled.
