An announced ceasefire has renewed the hopes of the Joshi family in Nepal, who are anxiously waiting for news of their son Bipin, still held hostage in Gaza. Despite the promise of negotiable release, concerns linger about the fate of Bipin and his fellow captives.
Ceasefire Sparks Hope for Family of Kidnapped Nepali Student in Gaza
Ceasefire Sparks Hope for Family of Kidnapped Nepali Student in Gaza
Mahananda Joshi and his family in western Nepal await news of their son Bipin, a 23-year-old agriculture student kidnapped by Hamas amid the Israel-Gaza conflict.
In a small village in western Nepal, Mahananda Joshi remains at home, glued to his phone as he anxiously awaits news about his son, Bipin, a 23-year-old agriculture student who was taken hostage by Hamas during their attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Despite endless anticipation, each ring of the phone brings disappointment, with Mahananda longing for updates about Bipin, who has not been heard from since he was kidnapped alongside other foreign workers.
The Joshi family had not had any official confirmation since the ceasefire announcements began, yet the news has rekindled a glimmer of hope within them. “I feel like today or tomorrow he will reach out and say he is free,” continued Padma, Bipin's mother, reflecting the family's unwavering optimism. Despite Bipin’s likely survival following recent reports, no concrete details regarding his condition or whereabouts have been shared.
Bipin has been in Gaza since his kidnapping, and the family has seen him only in brief video footage presented by Israeli officials. Although 24 hostages have been released in the recent developments, Bipin and nine other captives remain unliberated, leading to a sense of urgency and fear that the situation might change unfavorably.
With the ceasefire prioritizing the relief of elderly individuals, women, and children in the first phase, hope for immediate news is thin but persistent. Mahananda recalls the moment he was informed of his son’s abduction and the subsequent unsettling discoveries—the tragic news of fellow students, taken or killed during the chaos.
The communication with officials has dwindled significantly, leaving the Joshi family in isolation as they continue to grapple with their predicament. The hope generated from the ceasefire brings only cautious optimism, as the possibility of further complications looms. “Everything could change in an instant,” Padma expressed, reflecting the gravity of their ongoing ordeal.
Bipin’s sister Puspa holds on to the memory of her brother, dreaming of the day he returns home. “When I see him again, I’m going to hug him and cry,” she shared through tears, conveying the emotional weight of their wait for the reunion to come.
The Joshi family had not had any official confirmation since the ceasefire announcements began, yet the news has rekindled a glimmer of hope within them. “I feel like today or tomorrow he will reach out and say he is free,” continued Padma, Bipin's mother, reflecting the family's unwavering optimism. Despite Bipin’s likely survival following recent reports, no concrete details regarding his condition or whereabouts have been shared.
Bipin has been in Gaza since his kidnapping, and the family has seen him only in brief video footage presented by Israeli officials. Although 24 hostages have been released in the recent developments, Bipin and nine other captives remain unliberated, leading to a sense of urgency and fear that the situation might change unfavorably.
With the ceasefire prioritizing the relief of elderly individuals, women, and children in the first phase, hope for immediate news is thin but persistent. Mahananda recalls the moment he was informed of his son’s abduction and the subsequent unsettling discoveries—the tragic news of fellow students, taken or killed during the chaos.
The communication with officials has dwindled significantly, leaving the Joshi family in isolation as they continue to grapple with their predicament. The hope generated from the ceasefire brings only cautious optimism, as the possibility of further complications looms. “Everything could change in an instant,” Padma expressed, reflecting the gravity of their ongoing ordeal.
Bipin’s sister Puspa holds on to the memory of her brother, dreaming of the day he returns home. “When I see him again, I’m going to hug him and cry,” she shared through tears, conveying the emotional weight of their wait for the reunion to come.
