Bipin Joshi threw back a grenade from Hamas attackers before being taken hostage in the assault on Israel two years ago, says the fellow Nepalese student he saved.
I may not have survived if both grenades had exploded. Bipin showed courage and threw the grenade out, Dhan Bahadur Chaudhary shared with BBC Nepali.
This account comes in the wake of the Israeli military confirming Bipin's body among four dead hostages returned by Hamas under a ceasefire agreement.
Bipin, a 23-year-old from Nepal, was working on a kibbutz when he, along with 250 others, was taken captive by Hamas on October 7, 2023. The circumstances of his death remain unclear.
His friends had hoped until the very last moment that he would be among the living hostages returned on October 13, but sadly, those hopes were dashed a day later.
Bipin and his fellow students had only been in Israel for three weeks as part of an 'Earn and Learn Programme.' Dhan Bahadur recounted how they never expected such a fierce ground attack.
During the assault, Bipin's quick thinking in throwing one grenade outside the bunker minimized the devastation, while another exploded inside, injuring several.
Tragically, of the ten Nepalese students present, Bipin was the only one taken hostage, while others suffered injuries from the blast.
Dhan Bahadur described their last meeting at the kibbutz, emphasizing the bond they shared as they dreamed about their futures.
The loss weighs heavily on Dhan Bahadur and the community, stirring feelings of grief not just within Nepal but also among their friends and families abroad.
Bipin is remembered not just for his bravery but for the dreams he held—hopes which, now, remain unfulfilled.
As the tragedy unfolds, Bipin's family is set to receive his body back home, amidst ongoing support from the Israeli government, honoring his memory and sacrifice.
