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Kathmandu, Aug 12: The mother and sister of Kanchanpur native Bipin Joshi, who has been missing since being taken hostage by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, have arrived in Israel, urging his safe return.

Bipin’s mother, Padma, and sister, Pushpa, left for Israel on Monday after the Israeli government invited them, saying their presence could help intensify international pressure, including through the United Nations, for his release.

At Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport, they were received by officials from Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nepal’s Ambassador to Israel Dhan Prasad Poudel, former Israeli ambassador to Nepal Hanan Goder, and other dignitaries.

Speaking to international media at the airport, Padma, in tears, said, “I have come to take my son Bipin home. Please release him and send him back with us. I request everyone with folded hands.”

Pushpa, also emotional, added, “My brother came here to study. We have no enmity with anyone. Please do not harm him. We have come all the way from Nepal to take him back.”

Bipin, a resident of Bhasi in Bhimdutta Municipality-3, Kanchanpur, had gone to Israel under a ‘study and earn’ agricultural program. He has been missing since October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked a kibbutz in southern Israel, killing 10 Nepali students and taking 251 people hostage, including Bipin. While some hostages have been freed during ceasefires, Bipin remains in captivity.

The Nepal government has been pursuing diplomatic channels for his release, but his condition remains unknown. According to Israeli officials, Padma and Pushpa will be taken to meet the Prime Minister, Defense Minister, army chief, and commanders involved in operations against Hamas. They are also expected to visit the kibbutz where Bipin was abducted and attend a UN office meeting to push for stronger international intervention.

People’s News Monitoring Service