Kathmandu: Shmulik Arie Bass, the newly appointed Israeli Ambassador to Nepal, confirmed on Thursday that Bipin Joshi, a Nepali national who was abducted by Hamas militants during the October 7 attacks, is alive.

Speaking at a press conference in Kathmandu, Ambassador Bass revealed that intelligence gathered from Arab sources indicated that Joshi is still among the hostages being held by Hamas, though his exact location remains unclear.

“Arab sources have informed us that Bipin Joshi is alive. Unfortunately, we still do not know where he is or in what condition he is being held,” said Bass. “We continue to hope for his safe return to Nepal, as we do for all those still in captivity.”

The ambassador’s remarks come nearly two months after the shocking events of October 7, when Hamas militants launched a brutal attack targeting the Nova Music Festival in Israel. The attack left 10 Nepali students dead, and Joshi was one of the few to be taken hostage. His abduction has since sparked widespread concern among his family and the Nepali community at large.

Ambassador Bass acknowledged the emotional toll the situation has had on Joshi’s family, expressing empathy and solidarity. “I can only imagine the pain and uncertainty his family must be feeling. But it is also important to recognize that there are many others like Bipin who are still awaiting their release,” he remarked.

In a broader context, Bass highlighted that over 100 foreign nationals, including both Israelis and internationals, are still in the custody of Hamas. He urged the international community to remain focused on securing the release of all hostages, underscoring that the situation remains deeply complex.

In the aftermath of the October 7 attack, the Israeli government has been providing financial support to the families of the Nepali victims, just as it has to the families of Israeli citizens who lost their lives. Bass also expressed hope that, once the situation stabilizes, the ‘Earn and Learn’ program for Nepali students in Israel would resume.

“The Israeli government is committed to supporting the families affected, and we are hopeful that Nepali students will once again have the opportunity to learn and earn in Israel once this conflict is over,” Bass concluded.

At present, Nepal has paused sending agricultural students to Israel due to the ongoing conflict, which pits Israel against both Hamas and Hezbollah. However, Bass pointed out that students from other nations, including Malawi, Congo, and Thailand, are already returning to Israel under the same program. “Israeli farm owners are eager for Nepali students to come back, and we look forward to that happening soon,” he added.