Bipin Joshi, the Nepali agricultural student who was abducted during the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack and later confirmed dead, will be repatriated to Kathmandu on Monday. Nepali officials say his body has been flown out of Israel after DNA confirmation and a farewell ceremony at Ben-Gurion Airport; arrangements are in place for a formal reception at Tribhuvan International Airport.
Key facts
- Who: Bipin Joshi, Nepali student from Kanchanpur.
- What: His body was handed over by Hamas, identified by Israeli forensics and is being flown back to Nepal. [Bipin Joshi
- When: Flight scheduled to arrive in Kathmandu on Monday (official local statement).
- Where: Repatriation ceremony held at Ben-Gurion Airport; arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport is planned.
- Why this matters: Joshi’s death ended nearly two years of uncertainty and triggered diplomatic coordination between Nepal and Israel to repatriate his remains.
Background: from “Learn and Earn” to captivity
Bipin Joshi had travelled to Israel to take part in an agricultural training program and was working at Kibbutz Alumim when Hamas militants attacked on October 7, 2023. He was taken hostage in that assault, which left many foreign workers and residents dead or missing. Joshi’s case drew sustained diplomatic attention and public concern in Nepal since he was among the handful of foreign nationals whose fate remained unresolved for an extended period.
Confirmation, handover and DNA testing
Following a ceasefire and negotiations, Hamas handed over several bodies to Israeli authorities. Israeli forensic teams at the National Centre for Forensic Medicine conducted DNA testing to establish identity; Nepali embassy officials in Tel Aviv assisted with the verification process. Nepali diplomats said identification procedures were completed before repatriation.
“It will take around 24 to 48 hours for the results. Once confirmed, the body will be handed over to his family in Kathmandu,” an official in the Nepali diplomatic mission said during the identification process.
Farewell ceremony in Israel
A solemn farewell ceremony was held at Ben-Gurion Airport before the plane carrying Joshi’s remains departed. Israeli officials and representatives of the Foreign Ministry attended the event; eulogies praised Joshi for bravery during the October 7 attack. “I am sorry. It shouldn’t have ended this way,” said a senior Israeli official during the ceremony. The coffin was draped with Nepali and Israeli flags as tributes were paid.
Repatriation to Kathmandu
Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and embassy staff coordinated logistics; officials confirmed his body will be flown to Tribhuvan International Airport on a FlyDubai service scheduled to arrive Monday afternoon. Prime Minister, cabinet ministers and senior MoFA officials are expected to be present at the airport reception to pay respects. Authorities have also said they will continue investigations into the circumstances of Joshi’s death and assist the family with entitlements and compensation. Online Khabar
Family and public reaction
News of Joshi’s death drew deep sorrow in Nepal. His family and civil society groups, which had campaigned for his safe return over the past two years, expressed grief and called for transparent investigation into the circumstances of his death. The return of his body closes a painful diplomatic chapter but raises questions about support and safeguards for Nepali nationals working abroad.
FAQ
When will Bipin Joshi’s body arrive in Kathmandu?
Nepali officials say Bipin Joshi’s body is scheduled to arrive in Kathmandu on Monday via a FlyDubai flight to Tribhuvan International Airport.
How was Bipin Joshi identified?
Israeli forensic teams conducted DNA tests at the National Centre for Forensic Medicine; Nepali embassy representatives assisted and confirmed the identity before repatriation.
Where was Bipin Joshi taken hostage?
Bipin was abducted from Kibbutz Alumim during the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on southern Israel while participating in an agricultural training program.
Will Nepali government officials attend the arrival ceremony?
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said senior government officials, including ministers, are expected to attend the reception at Tribhuvan International Airport.
What next steps will Nepal pursue?
The government has said it will cooperate with relevant authorities to investigate the exact circumstances of death and to secure entitlements, compensation, and support for Joshi’s family.
RIP beautiful soul.
[…] The flight carrying Joshi’s body landed at Dhangadhi Airport around 6:30 PM on Monday. His remains were received by local representatives, the Israeli Ambassador to Nepal, and outgoing MP Tara Lama Tamang, who represents Kanchanpur. The Sudurpaschim Provincial Police escorted the casket as a formal tribute, while hundreds of locals gathered at the airport to pay their last respects. Bipin’s body arrived in Kathmandu in Monday. […]