More than two years after he was abducted during Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel, the body of Bipin Joshi — a 22-year-old Nepali Hindu student hailed for his bravery — has been returned to Israeli authorities. His death, confirmed on Monday, came as part of a Gaza ceasefire deal that also saw the release of 20 living hostages.

Joshi had travelled to Israel in September 2023 as part of a farm training programme at Kibbutz Alumim, near the Gaza border. He was the only non-Israeli and the only Hindu hostage believed to have been held in Gaza. His body was one of four returned by Hamas on Monday night, confirmed both by Israel Defense Forces and Nepal’s Ambassador to Israel, Dhan Prasad Pandit. DNA tests will be conducted before his remains are repatriated to Nepal, though a funeral is expected in Israel in coordination with the Nepali embassy.

Joshi’s final act of courage during the October 7 attack has become a symbol of selflessness. As Hamas terrorists stormed the kibbutz, Joshi and other Nepali students took shelter in a bomb bunker. When grenades were thrown inside, Joshi grabbed one and hurled it back before it exploded, saving lives but injuring himself in the process. He was then captured by Hamas gunmen and taken into Gaza.

In the aftermath, Israeli military footage appeared to show Joshi being dragged into Gaza’s Shifa Hospital, the last known sighting of him alive. His family — especially his mother and sister, Pushpa — tirelessly campaigned for his release, travelling between Nepal, Israel, and the U.S., and joining weekly protests at Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square. Joshi would have turned 25 on October 26.

On Monday, Hamas’ Al-Qassam Brigades released the names of four hostages who had died in captivity, including Joshi. The news cast a sombre shadow over the release of 20 living hostages to the Red Cross under the ongoing ceasefire agreement.

Joshi’s sacrifice has been widely honoured in both Nepal and Israel. Of the 17 Nepali students in his programme, 10 were killed during the attack. For many, Bipin Joshi will be remembered not just as a victim of terrorism, but as a hero who gave everything to protect others.