A Nepali family's last hope is a 2023 video of their loved one held hostage in Gaza
While negotiations continue in Sharm el-Sheikh for the release of the hostages still alive, the family of Bipin Joshi, the last Asian hostage whose fate is still unknown, has authorised the release of some images proving that he was still alive two months after he was seized. The family is “barely holding on” to this.
Tel Aviv (AsiaNews/Agencies) – The family of Bipin Joshi has decided to release a 30-second video showing him held captive in Gaza, presumably recorded in November 2023.
Among those kidnapped by Hamas on 7 October 2023, the young Nepali man is the last hostage from Asia still held in Gaza whose fate is unknown.
“The last sign of life found in Gaza, which we will share with you today, is for us an anchor of firm faith that he is alive,” the family said in a statement.
Bipin's last "sign of life" was footage from security cameras at al-Shifa Hospital, recorded on the day of the massacre, showing him being led away by Hamas gunmen along with another hostage, from Thailand.
Among the other, long-term Asian hostages, five Thais – Pongsak Thaenna, Sathian Suwannakham, Watchara Sriaoun, Bannawat Seathao, and Surasak Lamnao – were released during last January’s ceasefire.
The Israeli army recovered the body of a sixth (Nattapong Pinta) in June, leaving Bipin Joshi as the last one missing, even if there is no recent evidence that he is still alive.
Two months ago, Bipin's mother and sister arrived in Israel for the first time. Upon landing at Ben Gurion Airport, his mother, Padma Joshi, burst into tears, saying: “Please, save my son.” “Hamas, bring him home now.”
Bipin, 23, was seized on 7 October 2023, at Kibbutz Alumim, where he was taking part in an agricultural training project with 16 other students.
“Bipin came to Israel only to study as part of his academic program and, unfortunately, he got caught between two sides in a war he has nothing to do with,” his sister, Pushpa, said.
“We just want him. It’s too much for me and my family. It’s been almost two years. We can’t stop thinking about his situation, what he is doing there, if he’s getting food, if he’s getting medicine.”
A tearful Pushpa also spoke at a rally in Tel Aviv’s “Hostage Square”.
“The latest videos of the hostages crushed us,” she said. “My mother and father are broken, barely holding on. They miss their only son. I miss my best friend – the one who dreams of growing bananas to make banana chips.
“The creative, funny boy. Almost two years without a sign of life. Has he starved? Injured? Alive? How can one survive 680 days in hell?”
“I miss you very much, my brother,” she added. “I constantly remember your voice and your hug. I miss hearing you sing and laugh. Don’t lose faith, be strong, keep living! I love you.”
Meanwhile, sources involved in the negotiations in Sharm el-Sheikh suggest that significant progress has been made in the logistical and technical aspects of the hostage-prisoner swap in Gaza.
Hamas, however, reportedly told mediators that it needed about ten days to locate and exhume the bodies of the deceased hostages, as it does not know the exact burial sites.
Of the 48 hostages still held by Hamas, 20 are believed to be alive. Negotiations on the rest of the agreement are more complex.
Hamas is maintaining its long-held positions: total Israeli withdrawal (except for a border strip for security reasons), a long-term ceasefire, and control of the territory handed over to the Palestinians.
For his part, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al Sisi again displayed optimism today, even inviting Donald Trump to travel to Egypt to sign the agreement once it is reached.
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11/12/2017 09:35
