When the news broke on Monday evening that the body of Nepalese hostage Bipin Joshi would be returned to Israel along with three others, my heart sank.
For two years, almost nothing has been known of Joshi’s fate. Monday morning, as Hamas provided lists of hostages, whether he was alive or dead was unknown to all; even the Nepalese government had no success finding out his status.
Now we know the truth.
A video thought to have been filmed in November 2023 showing Joshi was released at his family’s request last week.
The video was obtained by Israeli intelligence officials and was under censorship until the family recently received permission to release it. It is also one of the only signs of life received for Joshi since his captivity began.
Hostage Bipin Joshi forgotten by world
Joshi came to our country under the Learn and Earn Program. He worked at the Alumim kibbutz along with 16 other Nepalis.
Then Hamas attacked on October 7. Ten Nepalis were killed, five were injured, and Joshi was taken hostage with a Thai national.
Not Israeli. Not Jewish. Not right-wing or left-wing. Not a “settler.” Not a soldier. Not a colonizer.
He was here to learn for his future. To learn skills that he could take back to his home and improve his life and those of his loved ones.
But that future will never happen. Now his family must prepare themselves for their future and, one hopes, find some closure.
While the world took to the streets slanging “genocide” and “famine” in the air, where were those advocating for the release of a foreign national?
Where were the international leaders demanding an innocent man, with no connection to this conflict whatsoever, be freed from hell?
Where were Nepal’s friends, both here and abroad, in trying to help secure his release, and his life? Who knows.
It is a moment of sadness that affects a day of great joy. Twenty lives have been returned to Israel to rebuild their future, and it is what we have all been waiting for.
But spare a thought for Bipin Joshi, because it seemed the rest of the world forgot him.