KATHMANDU, Sept 20: The armed wing of Hamas released what it calls a “farewell picture” of 47 Israeli captives including a Nepali national, Bipin Joshi, as Israel escalates its military operations in Gaza City, AFP reported.
The Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades posted a compilation of photos online on Saturday, showing the faces of all living and deceased captives. Each was labelled “Ron Arad,” in reference to the Israeli air force navigator who went missing over Lebanon in 1986 and whose fate remains a national symbol in Israel.
“Because of Netanyahu’s refusal and Zamir’s capitulation ……. a farewell photograph taken at the start of the operation in Gaza City,” the Brigades wrote alongside the image, implicitly blaming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and military chief Eyal Zamir for the intensifying offensive.
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The release comes amid Israel’s ground assault on Gaza City, following weeks of heavy airstrikes. Hundreds of thousands of residents have fled the area, while families of the hostages have appealed to the Israeli government to halt operations that they warn could put their loved ones’ lives at risk.
Of the 251 people held hostage by Palestinian militants during their attack on Israel in October 2023, 47 remain in Gaza, including 25 whom the Israeli military says are dead. Israeli authorities estimate roughly 20 captives may still be alive, while US President Donald Trump has suggested the number could be fewer. Both Trump and Netanyahu have pledged to secure the return of all captives and “destroy” Hamas, according to global media outlets.
Crucially, the release of the photograph offers a rare glimpse into the status of captives whose whereabouts have remained uncertain including Bipin Joshi. His abduction earlier sparked widespread concern as no credible information about his status had been available. Analysts suggest that his appearance in the image indicates he is alive, offering a fragile hope to his family and supporters amid the ongoing conflict.
The “farewell picture” echoes past efforts to draw attention to missing Israeli soldiers, notably Ron Arad, whose F-4 Phantom was shot down over southern Lebanon during the civil war. Arad was initially captured by the Amal Movement and later handed over to Hezbollah. Despite decades of searches, his remains were never found, making his case a lasting cause célèbre in Israel.
Hamas has repeatedly warned that intensifying Israeli attacks could endanger the captives’ lives. The group claims the hostages are “scattered throughout the neighborhoods” of Gaza City.
The announcement comes hours before mass protests were expected across Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv, where citizens are demanding a swift resolution to the conflict and the safe return of all captives. Earlier this month, Hamas released videos of Israeli captives, showing some in visibly weakened conditions, which prompted outrage among families and government officials alike, according to international news agencies.
