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The Survivor

Bipin Joshi threw back a explosive device from Hamas attackers before being taken hostage in the attack on Israel in the recent conflict, reveals the other Nepalese student he rescued.

"My survival would not have survived if the two grenades had exploded. He showed bravery and threw the device away," Dhan Bahadur Chaudhary shared with media outlets.

He was speaking after the defense forces confirmed his friend's body as being one of four deceased hostages returned by Hamas under the Gaza ceasefire accord.

The young student was 23 and working on a kibbutz when he was seized by Hamas into imprisonment along with numerous individuals on 7 October 2023. It's unclear how or when he passed away.

His loved ones hoped right up to the release deadline that he could be among living captives returned on the specified date, but he was not, and a subsequent day their deepest concerns were verified.

The Attack

The student, Dhan Bahadur and 15 other Nepalese farming students had been in Israel for just over three weeks when their residence was assaulted.

"We were aware that there could be a conflict in Israel. But we had little expectation that there could be any physical assault of that magnitude," the survivor explained. "We believed that there could be missile attacks and we would be protected if we stay below ground, in the shelters."

For the students who'd been invited under the national "educational initiative" it was a great opportunity to make better lives for their futures and their loved ones in Nepal.

The survivor credits his survival to his friend's heroic actions.

"At the time of the assault, multiple explosives were launched near the bunkers. My friend picked up a device and threw it outside; another detonated within. Because of that explosion, I and several companions were injured," he says.

"He was safe at that point. If the two grenades had detonated, I certainly would not have been talking with you like this."

10 of the Nepalese students were killed in the attack. Their companion was the only one taken hostage.

"We saw each other for the final occasion when Bipin and fellow students were being moved to another shelter," the survivor explains. "Because, after the wounding, I and I stayed in the first shelter. Later came to know that there were two attacks in the bunker where Bipin took refuge and was was held captive from that location."

From Dhan Bahadur Chaudhary

Remembering Bipin

The survivor says he feels deeply saddened after hearing about his colleague's passing. Dhan Bahadur and his companion were classmates in their educational institution in Tikapur, Nepal.

"His friends undertook every efforts from our sides to ensure his release. They did everything. But yesterday, we had to face such shocking news. The entire nation is in mourning. Personally do not know what to say. I have limited expression to describe my sadness."

The survivor says his friend and fellow students had the same goal of making little savings and starting their own enterprise after coming back from the exchange programme in Israel.

"He loved playing soccer and sports. We would converse for hours about our goals and dreams. My friend wanted to get his body in good shape and to purchase a latest mobile phone. We even recorded a musical piece about companionship with my phone. Bipin also talked about showcasing himself in a visual production."

Dhan Bahadur Chaudhary

Recent Developments

On 14 October, the defense authorities stated they suspected Bipin Joshi was "murdered in detention during the first months of the war". There's no method of independently verifying that.

But if it's the case, Dhan Bahadur commented, the global authorities should question Hamas about the reasons it occurred.

The survivor said he had lacked any assistance from Nepal's government following his wounding but wished the host nation would help his friend's family.

The student's close family members have withheld any statement so far.

Video from 7 October depicted him walking inside a medical facility in Gaza City. His relatives obtained no signs of life for a twelve months, until the Israeli military shared a video of him in detention around that period.

Relatives described the footage as "proof of life" just hours before the truce agreement was finalized, and were praying for a miracle.

Currently in his hometown of Bhimdutta municipality the student's loved ones are grieving after hearing news of his passing.

Official Source

Family Situation

His female relatives had gone to the US to lobby for the freedom of captives, Bipin's cousin family member told media.

He states the household has no words to describe the sorrow. "His mother and sister are returning from America on Thursday. The parent is unable to express the suffering in words."

At the same time it's unclear when the student's body will be repatriated to his family.

The nation is making required preparations to repatriate his body to Nepal, as it completed for the other students who died, Nepal's ministry of foreign affairs said.

"We are all stunned by the information of Bipin Joshi's demise. In this time of grief [we] extend our {deep|pro