KATHMANDU: The armed wing of Hamas has released what it calls a “farewell picture” of 48 Israeli captives held in Gaza, including Nepali national Bipin Joshi, as Israeli forces continue their offensive to seize Gaza City, the enclave’s largest urban center.

The Qassam Brigades posted a compilation photo online on Saturday, showing the faces of all living and deceased captives, each captioned “Ron Arad,” referencing the Israeli Air Force captain who went missing in Lebanon in 1986. Arad’s Phantom F-4 jet suffered a premature bomb detonation and he was later captured by the Amal Movement and handed to Hezbollah; his fate remains unconfirmed.

The image was accompanied by a statement blaming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s rejection of agreements and expanding ground and air operations under Israeli army chief Eyal Zamir. Israeli authorities say about 20 captives may still be alive, while U.S. officials suggest fewer than 20.

Joshi’s family in Nepal has confirmed ongoing attempts to contact Israeli authorities but has received no formal information yet.