Israeli authorities on Monday informed Nepali officials that Nepali student Bipin Joshi is not among the survivors.

The Israeli officials informed the Nepali Ambassador to Israel Dhana Prasad Pandit, Joshi’s sister, Pushpa, and relative Kiran Joshi during a video conference at 7:30am Israeli time involving the Israeli Defence Forces.

Ambassador Pandit told the Post that Joshi’s name was not on the list of those confirmed alive, adding that efforts to locate him—or his body if deceased—would continue.

“IDF officials said they will try to hand over Joshi’s body or inform us how he was killed,” Pandit said. “International organisations are also engaged in this matter.”

In search of Bipin, his mother, Padma Josh, and sister Pushpa visited Israel and held talks with senior officials. His mother and sister are currently in the US in the hope of securing his release and getting information about his whereabouts.

Earlier on Monday, Hamas released the names of 20 hostages to be freed under the latest US-brokered ceasefire deal. Joshi’s name was not included.

Joshi, who went to Israel under the Learn and Earn Programme, was working at the Alumim kibbutz with 16 other Nepalis when Hamas attacked on October 7, 2023.

Ten Nepalis were killed, five were injured, and one escaped unharmed. Joshi and a Thai national were taken hostage.

Top Nepali officials, including presidents, prime ministers, foreign ministers of successive Nepali governments, and Nepali ambassadors, had lobbied for his release over the past two years.