The Israeli government has stated that it is making preparations to repatriate the mortal remains of Nepali national, Bipin Joshi, to Nepal.
During the telephone conversation with Foreign Secretary of Nepal, Amrti Bahadur Rai this afternoon, Director General at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Israel, Eden Bar Tal, said that Israel is making all kinds of preparations to repatriate the mortal remains of Bipin to Nepal.
"During the conversation, H.E. Mr. Bar Tal officially confirmed, with deep regret, the tragic death of Mr. Bipin Joshi, a Nepali student, while in captivity of Hamas. He extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, as well as to the Government and people of Nepal. H.E. Mr. Bar Tal further informed that the Government of Israel would make all necessary arrangements for the repatriation of Mr. Joshi’s remains to Nepal," reads the statement issued by the Foreign Ministry.
Foreign Secretary Rai made a telephone conversation with Director General at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel, Tal, this afternoon and expressed sincere appreciation for the Israeli government for its efforts, up to the last moment, for the release of Bipin.
Both the leaders expressed hope that the latest ceasefire deal sealed between Hamas and Israel will pave the way for the Middle East to establish lasting peace and stability in the region, while affirming the commitment to working together to further strengthen friendly ties between Nepal and Israel.
Hamas handed over the lifeless body of Bipin via Red Cross on Monday night as part of the ceasefire deal reached between the two countries. Hamas yesterday returned 20 living hostages and bodies of four individuals including Bipin as per prisoners' swaps.
Bipin, who had gone to Israel under a 'Learn and Earn' agricultural training program from Tikapur Agriculture Campus in late September 2023, was abducted during the Hamas' October 7, 2023 attack and taken hostage to Gaza Strip.
Ten Nepali students had been killed during the attack. With the conformation of Bipin's death, the death toll of Nepali nationals from the Hamas attack has reached 11.
.
