The fate of Nepali student Bipin Joshi, kidnapped by Hamas during the October 7, 2023, attacks in Israel, remains uncertain, even as all hostages still held in Gaza are expected to be released as early as Monday.

CNN, quoting the Israeli government, reported that 26 of the 48 hostages are presumed dead, while the status of Joshi and Israeli citizen Tamir Nimrodi remains unknown. Israeli authorities had previously expressed “grave concern” over their fates.

A video thought to have been recorded in November 2023 shows Joshi alive while in captivity. The Israeli military recovered the footage, which his family shared through the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. Although it does not verify his current condition, his family said it strengthened their “unwavering faith” that he is alive, according to the report.

In the video, Joshi identifies himself as a Nepali student and describes his work in agriculture. He had arrived in Israel just weeks before the attacks as part of a “Learn and Earn” programme.

Joshi’s family, including his sister Pushpa, has been actively advocating for his release and appealing to international authorities.

Of the hostages still in Gaza, at least 20 are thought to be alive, mainly men in their 20s and 30s. Women, children, and older men were freed under earlier ceasefire agreements.