Driven by a family’s anguish and sustained government efforts, the desperate campaign to secure the release of Bipin Adhikari, believed to be Hamas’s only Nepali hostage, continues to intensify. His plight has become a focal point of urgent diplomatic and humanitarian appeals.
Kathmandu, Nepal – The desperate campaign to secure the release of Bipin Adhikari, believed to be the sole Nepali citizen held hostage by Hamas in Gaza, continues to intensify, driven by the anguish of his family and the sustained efforts of the Nepali government.
Adhikari, a 23-year-old agricultural student, was among a group of Nepali students participating in an 11-month “learn and earn” program in southern Israel when Hamas militants launched their unprecedented attacks on October 7, 2023. While ten of his compatriots were tragically killed and several others injured, Adhikari was reportedly captured and taken into Gaza, becoming a focal point of a heart-wrenching international campaign.
A Family’s Unending Agony
In the remote village of Gorkha, Nepal, Adhikari’s parents, Padma and Ganesh Adhikari, live in a state of perpetual anxiety. Their small home has become a hub for sympathetic neighbors and media, but the comfort offered cannot alleviate the gnawing uncertainty.
“Every day without Bipin is a torment,” Padma Adhikari stated, her voice heavy with emotion. “We just want our son back, safe. We appeal to everyone, Hamas, the international community, to release him. He is an innocent student, not a combatant.”
The family has held countless prayers, organized public appeals, and submitted petitions to every possible authority, clinging to the hope that their son is alive and will eventually return.
Diplomatic Push from Kathmandu
The Nepali government has made Adhikari’s release a top diplomatic priority. Officials in Kathmandu have engaged in extensive communication with Israeli authorities, as well as with countries and organizations known to have channels of communication with Hamas, including Qatar, Egypt, and international humanitarian groups.
“The government of Nepal is exhausting all diplomatic channels and employing every possible measure to secure the safe and swift return of our citizen, Bipin Adhikari,” a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed. “We are in constant touch with relevant parties and international partners, advocating for his immediate release on humanitarian grounds.”
Efforts have reportedly included direct appeals during multilateral meetings and through special envoys dispatched to key regional capitals. The government acknowledges the complexities of the situation, given the ongoing conflict and the sensitive nature of hostage negotiations, but maintains an unwavering commitment.
International Appeals and Humanitarian Concerns
Beyond governmental efforts, various international human rights organizations and student bodies have joined the call for Adhikari’s release, highlighting the plight of civilians caught in the crossfire. They underscore that students and foreign workers are non-combatants and should be protected under international humanitarian law.
As the conflict in Gaza continues to unfold, marked by periods of intense fighting and fragile ceasefires, the fate of all hostages, including Bipin Adhikari, remains a critical and deeply personal concern. For his family and the nation of Nepal, the campaign to bring him home is a race against time, fueled by a desperate hope for his safe return.
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