Severe Danger
New Proof of Life from Hamas Hostage Bipin Joshi
The family of Bipin Joshi, a Nepali student kidnapped from Kibbutz Alumim, shared a newly recovered image of him from Gaza, stating the footage, believed to be filmed a month after October 7, serves as a crucial anchor of faith that he is alive.
The family of Nepali hostage Bipin Joshi today revealed a recovered image of him from his captivity by Hamas, planning to release the full video footage later this evening. The video was gathered by Israeli forces as part of captured intelligence and shared with the family by security officials. It is estimated that the footage was filmed approximately one month after the October 7 massacre.
Bipin Joshi is one of two hostages whose lives are considered to be in serious danger. His family released a statement emphasizing the emotional importance of the find: "The sign of life found in Gaza, which we are sharing with you today, serves as an anchor of firm faith for us that he is alive."
A Student Kidnapped Just Weeks After Arriving
Bipin, 24, is a Nepali student who came to Israel as part of an "agriculture interns" study program. Tragically, he had arrived in the country only three weeks before the invasion, working in an orchard at Kibbutz Alumim near the Gaza border when he was seized by terrorists.
The severity of his situation is heightened by the heavy concern for his life. Two months ago, Bipin's family travelled to Israel for the first time since his abduction, visiting the Hostages Square in Tel Aviv and the vigil tent outside the Prime Minister’s residence in Jerusalem.
Pushpa Joshi, Bipin’s sister, spoke to a news outlet about the difficult experience of seeing the recovered footage. She stated, "We came to Israel last week from Nepal following the horrifying documentation of Evyatar David from captivity. I am very worried about my brother and I can't believe the hostages have reached this state."
The family's decision to release the footage is part of the ongoing effort to keep the plight of the hostages, particularly the foreign nationals, at the forefront of global attention as international negotiations continue in Egypt. The video provides the family and the public with a harrowing, yet vital, confirmation that Bipin survived the initial weeks of his ordeal and offers a measure of hope amid immense fear.