The fate of Bipin Joshi, a 24-year-old Nepali student abducted by Hamas during the October 7, 2023, attacks in Israel, remains uncertain even as the Palestinian group released a new list of hostages set to be freed.

According to Palestinian news agency Shehab, Hamas on Monday released the names of 20 hostages to be freed under the latest US-brokered ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. However, Joshi’s name was not among them.

Joshi, who had gone to Israel under the Learn and Earn Programme, was working at the Alumim kibbutz along with 16 other Nepalis when Hamas militants attacked. Ten Nepalis were killed, five were injured, and one escaped unhurt. Joshi and a Thai national were taken hostage.

Despite repeated diplomatic efforts, the Nepali government has so far been unable to confirm his whereabouts or secure his release.

The ongoing ceasefire, mediated by the United States, has facilitated several hostage-prisoner exchanges and allowed limited humanitarian access in Gaza, but uncertainty remains over many hostages, including Joshi.