Since Wednesday, social media has been buzzing with reports that Bipin Joshi, who has been held by Hamas for the past 15 months, is set to be released. A document claiming to be the official list of hostages to be freed has surfaced, showing Bipin’s name at number 58. This has sparked widespread joy among netizens, with many sharing the news.
Following the release of this alleged list, Nepal’s Ambassador to Israel, Dhan Prasad Pandit, on Thursday morning to verify whether Bipin’s name was officially included. However, the ambassador clarified that he had not received any official confirmation regarding Bipin’s release. He also expressed frustration over media outlets spreading unverified information about his potential release.
Ambassador Pandit’s Response
After the ceasefire in Gaza, three hostages were released on the first day, followed by four more on the second. On Thursday, three Israeli and five Thai citizens were expected to be freed. Reports indicate that two Thai nationals have already been killed, though details regarding the return of their bodies remain unclear.
Following this latest release, only two foreign hostages remain in Hamas’ custody—one Thai and one Nepali. As of now, there is no official confirmation regarding their release.
After the viral reports about Bipin, many people reached out to Ambassador Pandit for updates. In response, he contacted an advisor from the Israeli Prime Minister’s office, who handles hostage affairs. The advisor did not answer the call but later responded via text, stating, “Sorry, we don’t have any updates until now.”
This remains the most up-to-date information available. The next batch of hostages is expected to be released by Saturday, and further developments are awaited. However, without official confirmation or solid evidence, making definitive statements about Bipin’s release would be premature.
Ambassador Pandit criticized media outlets for misleading reports aimed at boosting their TRP. He emphasized that, based on the latest verified information, there is no truth to the claim that Bipin is set to be released. While Nepalese officials remain committed to securing his safe return, they urge responsible reporting to avoid raising false hopes.
The Israeli government has also pressured Hamas to provide a list of living hostages, but Hamas has not complied. Despite this, some media organizations falsely claimed that Bipin’s release was confirmed. When one such outlet contacted Ambassador Pandit, claiming they had “reliable information” about his release, he responded bluntly:
“Would you know about Bipin’s release before I do? Would the Israeli army, government, or Prime Minister inform you before they inform me? Please do not manipulate people’s emotions in this way.”
With that, he concluded his statement.
Bipin Joshi’s family is not alone in their anxious wait—the entire nation is eager to welcome him home. However, as of now, his name has not been officially listed for release.
