After arriving in Israel, Bipin’s mother, tearfully said, “We have come to bring Bipin. Please, everyone, help us. Free my son and send him home with us.”
Kathmandu, 12 Aug: After Bipin Joshi’s mother, Padma, and sister, Pushpa, arrived on Monday evening at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel, they were met by various international journalists.
The Israeli government has arranged for Bipin Joshi’s mother and sister to be brought to Israel to take them to the United Nations in order to increase international pressure for the release of Bipin Joshi, who is held captive by the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Bipin’s mother, Padma, and sister, Pushpa, from Bhasigaon, Bhimdatt Municipality-3 in Kanchanpur, arrived in Israel on Monday evening.
“We have come to bring Bipin. Please, everyone help us,” Padma tearfully said to many international media upon arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv. “Please free my son and send him home with us. I humbly request this of everyone.”
Bipin’s sister Pushpa was also overwhelmed with emotion and could hardly control herself. She tearfully appealed, “We have come from the distant country of Nepal after much hardship. Please do not harm my brother. He came here only to study. We have no enmity with anyone.”
At the airport, they were received by officials from the Israeli Foreign Ministry, former Nepalese ambassador to Israel Hanan Godar, Nepal’s ambassador to Israel Dhanprasad Pandit, and many Nepali nationals.
According to officials from the Israeli Foreign Ministry, both mother and sister will be introduced to the Prime Minister, Defense Minister, Army Chief, and commanders involved in the operation against Hamas. They will also be taken to a kibbutz in southern Israel where Bipin was held hostage by Hamas militants to learn details about the incident.
Hostage Bipin Joshi
Following this, on the initiative of the Israeli government, they will be brought to the United Nations to appeal for increased pressure to secure Bipin’s release.
Sagi Karni, head of the Middle East and Asia department at the Israeli Foreign Ministry, said there are plans to seek initiatives and pressure through the United Nations for Bipin’s release.
“Out of the 50 people held by Hamas, it is estimated that 20 are still alive,” Karni told Nepali journalists visiting Israel. “We are not currently in a position to clearly say who among those 20 are alive and who have died.”
During Hamas’s attack on the kibbutz on October 7, 2023, 1,200 people were killed, and 251, including Bipin, were taken hostage. So far, Hamas has not released 50 hostages, including Bipin.
Group of Hamas
In the attack, 10 Nepali students lost their lives in the kibbutz itself. Bipin, who was wounded while saving many lives by throwing a grenade back at the Hamas militants, was taken hostage.
Bipin had gone to Israel under the ‘Learn and Earn’ program to study agriculture.
Since Hamas has not released Bipin and other hostages even after 22 months, the Israeli government launched a military operation last Thursday, announcing it would take full control of the Gaza Strip. Israel began its offensive with a five-point declaration from Prime Minister Netanyahu demanding the return of 50 hostages held by Hamas, including Bipin, and the permanent removal of Hamas from Gaza.
Bipin’s mother Padma and sister Pushpa were seen off at the airport in Kathmandu by Israeli Ambassador Shmulik Ari Bass. Before boarding the flight to Israel, Padma was emotional and tearful. After reaching the transit airport in Dubai, Pushpa posted a video on social media appealing for continued support and prayers for her brother Bipin. She said, “I am waiting for my brother’s safe release.”
Bipin’s mother and sister at the airport in Kathmandu
Captain Nadav Ben Yahuda of the Israeli Special Forces, involved in the military operations against Hamas, vowed not to leave any effort undone for Bipin’s release. “Bipin saved many lives by throwing a grenade back at the terrorists. He is a hero to both Nepal and Israel. We will do everything possible for his release,” said Nadav, who also serves as an advisor at the Israeli Embassy in Kathmandu. He added, “Once freed, I will personally bring Bipin back to Kathmandu. I am confident we will succeed.”
Nepal’s ambassador to Israel, Dhanprasad Pandit, stated that the Israeli government is giving special attention to meetings with Bipin’s mother and sister and will make every effort to increase international pressure for his release. “Neither the Israeli government nor any other sources can clearly state Bipin’s current condition. Hamas has not made any public statements either,” said Ambassador Pandit. “Israeli officials estimate that more than 20 hostages are still alive.”
During a brief ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, Nepal’s Foreign Minister Arju Rana Deuba called Qatar’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mohammed bin Abdul Aziz Al Khulaifi, urging efforts for Bipin’s release. She has also made repeated appeals to the Israeli government through Ambassador Bass.
At that time, Ambassador Bass informed Minister Rana that the Israeli government had received reports that Hamas planned to release 34 hostages, including elderly people, women, children, and individuals with fragile health. Although Hamas released some hostages, Bipin was not among them.
Bipin’s family has repeatedly met with high-level officials including the President and Prime Minister, urging efforts for his release. The family has even had a virtual conversation with Israeli President Isaac Herzog. Ambassador Bass in Nepal has also met with the family several times and has been facilitating efforts to send them from Israel to the United Nations to increase pressure for Bipin’s release.
