Hamas released 69 prisoners, Bipin’s condition unknown

KATHMANDU: The government appears to be unclear regarding the whereabouts of Nepali student Bipin Joshi, who is alleged to have been abducted by Hamas.

Although Hamas has freed about 6 dozen Israeli and foreign hostages, no clear information has been received about the situation of Bipin.

Joshi is thought to be under Hamas control. The Israeli army announced a few weeks ago that it had discovered proof that a Nepalese captive was under Hamas control.

Nepalese diplomatic officials have stated that all essential steps are being done to secure his release. But the Nepali side has not yet directly contacted Hamas about the issue

Foreign Minister NP Saud said that diplomatic measures were conducted with governments in contact with the Palestinian terrorist group to secure Joshi’s release.

During that period, Nepal formally urged Egypt to take the necessary steps, he added. Previously, the Nepali side made such a request to Qatar and was assured of its cooperation.

Although Joshi is claimed to be in the hands of Hamas, little is known about him since Hamas launched an attack on Israel on October 7. The Israeli army published video of al-Shifa hospital in northern Gaza, claiming that one of those seen in it was a Nepali national. However, Hamas has not provided any information regarding the Nepali hostages.

It is said that the Israeli security officials gave the officials of the Nepalese embassy in Tel Aviv that Bipin Joshi is in the possession of Hamas, mainly three grounds. A guy similar to him may be seen in Al-Shifa Hospital CCTV on those bases.

Even after the Hamas strike on October 7, Bipin Joshi’s phone was discovered to remain “active” for some time outside the Israeli border in the Gaza region.

The third premise is that Bipin Joshi’s DNA does not match those slain in Hamas strikes near the agricultural enterprise where he worked.

DNA samples from his parents were collected from Nepal after his abduction. The DNA of the dead corpses was compared by Israeli security agents.

The present position of Joshi is unknown, according to Nepalese Ambassador to Israel Kanta Rijal, although attempts are being made in various methods to liberate him. “We are also working closely with the Israeli authorities to release Bipin Joshi,” she said, “embassy has taken all necessary steps for Bipin’s release.”

Request to write a letter to Egypt as well

Sushil Kumar Lamsal, the Nepali ambassador in Cairo, has also written a letter to Egypt asking Nepal to take initiatives for the release of Bipin Joshi.

“We have written a letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here along with Bipin Joshi’s outlook and asked them to take the initiative to release him,” he told reporters. “They have also assured that they will take the necessary steps.”

Lamsal stated that he talked with Egypt’s Assistant Foreign Minister just on Sunday and requested information on Bipin Joshi’s condition and release. “He has also informed that he is taking initiatives through Egypt and international organizations,” he went on to say.

Family worries

His family members have expressed concern as no fresh information on Bipin Joshi has been received. They demanded that the government take proactive efforts to determine Joshi’s health through international activities and to liberate him if he is a captive.

His family has stated that they wish to be liberated as soon as possible through international efforts.

According to family relatives, Bipin Joshi’s parents are hoping that their son would be released shortly.

“There was a lot of hope after the cease-fire,” his brother Chandrakishor Joshi remarked. We stay up all night watching the news to see whether my brother would be released.’

Hamas released 69 prisoners

Hamas freed 11 Israeli civilians on Monday night. Among them, 9 are children and two are children. On the first day, last Friday, Hamas freed 13 Israelis, 10 Thais, and 24 Filipinos.

On the second day, just 13 Israelis and four Thais remained. On the third day, Sunday, Hamas freed 17 prisoners, including 13 Israelis, three Thais, and one Russian.

On Monday night, Israel freed 33 Palestinians, including 30 children and three women. During the Charnine ceasefire, Israel freed a total of 150 Palestinians. The majority of them are children and women.

Latest situation in Gaza

On Oct 7, Hamas attacked Israel, killing more than 1,200 people. Several foreign nationals including 10 Nepalis were also killed in that incident. In response to the unexpected attack, Israel launched an intensive military operation in Gaza with the slogan of eliminating Hamas.

However, Israel and Hamas agreed to free Israeli hostages as well as Palestinian inmates for four days. According to the Hamas-run Health Ministry, more than 14,500 Palestinians have perished in Gaza as a result of Israeli attack.

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has warned that Israeli operations in Gaza will resume if the truce expires.

Israel and Hamas agreed to free 50 captives, and the ceasefire would be prolonged by one day provided Hamas released 10 additional hostages.