Editorial photo #12863889 Human Interest
Nepal Holds Candlelight Vigil For Bipin Joshi, Student Killed In Hamas Custody
A Nepali student pays respect to Bipin Joshi, a Nepali student killed in Palestinian militant group Hamas custody, during a candlelight vigil held in Kathmandu, Nepal, on October 15, 2025. A student under Israel's Learn and Earn Programme, Joshi works at the Alumim kibbutz with 16 other Nepalis when Hamas launches its assault in October 2023. Ten Nepalis are killed, five are injured, and one escapes unharmed in the attack. Joshi's whereabouts are unknown since then. His name is missing from the list of 20 living hostages freed earlier under a US-brokered ceasefire deal on October 14, 2025. His death is confirmed by Israeli officials, who brief Ambassador Pandit and Joshi's family in a virtual meeting. Successive governments pursue all possible diplomatic channels to secure Joshi's release, engaging with officials from Qatar, Jordan, Egypt, and the US. Joshi's family, who travel to Israel and the US seeking his release, are now awaiting the return of his body to Nepal. (Photo by Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto)
