KATHMANDU: A new ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas could see the release of up to 20 living hostages from Gaza by Monday, according to U.S. President Donald Trump. The plan is part of the first phase of a negotiated truce aimed at ending over two years of captivity for those abducted during the October 2023 attacks.
Hamas and its allies had kidnapped 251 people from Israel and taken them into Gaza. Of these, 47 are still believed to be held, with at least 20 thought to be alive. Israel has already declared 26 of the remaining 48 hostages dead. Among those whose status remains unknown are Israeli soldier Tamir Nimrodi and Nepali student Bipin Joshi.
Joshi, a farm worker from Nepal, was abducted from the Alumin Kibbutz in southern Israel. His family recently confirmed that Israeli forces had recovered a video from Gaza showing him alive, footage believed to have been filmed in November 2023. “Seeing the video strengthened our belief that Bipin is still alive,” said a statement from the Hostages Families Forum.
Most of the living hostages are men in their 20s and 30s; women, children, and older captives were released in earlier ceasefire deals. Several were abducted from the Nova Music Festival, while others were taken from kibbutzim and military bases.
Israeli media outlet Channel 12 reported that under the current truce proposal, 20 living hostages and the remains of 28 others will be returned to Israel. Officials, however, say Hamas may not have full information about all the deceased.
The case of Bipin Joshi has drawn particular attention in Nepal and Israel, as his is the only known Nepali hostage still unaccounted for. Four other foreign nationals, three Thai and one Tanzanian, remain in captivity, though most have been declared dead.
Security sources said the agreement, if implemented, could mark the most significant breakthrough since the 2023 Gaza conflict.
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