KATHMANDU: Palestinian extremist group Hamas has claimed that four hostages, including Nepali national Bipin Joshi, were killed in Israeli airstrikes.

According to The Times of Israel, their bodies are scheduled to be handed over to the Red Cross today. However, Israel has not yet confirmed the report.

On October 7, 2023, Hamas carried out attacks in Israel, taking hundreds of people hostage, including Joshi.

Earlier this morning, Israeli military officials held a virtual meeting with Joshi’s family, the Nepali Ambassador to Israel, and officials from Israel’s Foreign Ministry and Prime Minister’s Office, stating that there is no information on Joshi’s current status.

On Monday evening, Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Joshi’s condition remains unknown until all hostages are released and the bodies of those killed are recovered.