A solemn farewell ceremony was conducted at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Sunday to honor Bipin Joshi, a Nepali student who had been abducted and subsequently killed by Hamas militants. The ceremony marked the final tribute before his remains were repatriated to Nepal for his last rites. The Israeli Embassy in Nepal shared details of the event on social media, noting, "A ceremony was held today at Ben Gurion Airport, in Israel, to honour Bipin Joshi, who was abducted and later murdered in Hamas captivity, before he was sent back home to Nepal. May his memory be a blessing."
Until recently, it was believed that Joshi was still alive under Hamas captivity. However, after the militants released the names of 20 hostages who had survived, his name was absent, confirming fears about his fate. The tragic incident dates back to October 2023, when Hamas launched a large-scale attack in Israel, during which 10 Nepalese students living under the ‘learn and earn’ scheme lost their lives. Joshi, who was 23 at the time of his abduction, remained missing and his condition unknown for nearly two years.
Hamas only confirmed Joshi’s death last week and handed over his body to the Israeli authorities as part of a ceasefire agreement. The farewell ceremony was attended by Israeli officials, Nepali diplomats, and members of the Nepali community, providing a formal occasion to pay respects. It was organized jointly by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nepali Embassy, ensuring both countries honored his memory appropriately.
Following the ceremony, Joshi’s body is scheduled to arrive in Kathmandu on Monday afternoon. From there, it will be transported to his hometown in Kanchanpur, in western Nepal, for cremation. Prime Minister Sushila Karki is expected to be present at Tribhuvan International Airport to pay tribute upon his arrival, reflecting the national mourning and recognition of his tragic death.
The incident has highlighted the vulnerability of international students in conflict zones and underscored the importance of coordinated diplomatic efforts between Nepal and Israel to ensure the safe return of victims and closure for grieving families. The repatriation of Joshi’s body brings a measure of resolution after two years of uncertainty and deep grief for his family and the Nepali community abroad.
