Palestinian extremist group Hamas has handed over the body of Bipin Joshi to Israel.
Hamas transferred the bodies of four people including Joshi to Israel through the Red Cross late on Monday.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed receiving four coffins with bodies through the Red Cross Monday evening, according to the Israeli online publication The Times of Israel.
The Times of Israel also reported that the boxes contained the bodies of Joshi, Guy Ilouz, Yoshi Sharabi, and Daniel Perez.
Until the day the hostages were released, Joshi's status was said to be unknown.
Nepali Ambassador to Israel Dhan Prasad Pandit on Monday told Setopati that the IDF informed them through a video conversation that Bipin Joshi was no longer alive. In the evening, Hamas also confirmed the deaths of four people, including Joshi, and stated that they would transfer the bodies.
A forensic examination of all four bodies received by the IDF will be conducted.
The Times of Israel reported that the bodies have been taken to the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute in Tel Aviv for forensic examination. Officials there have stated that the body identification process has begun and could take two days.
Even though four bodies have been handed over, the bodies of other 24 dead hostages have not yet been transferred. There was an agreement that Hamas would transfer the living and the bodies of the deceased to Israel within 72 hours.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has warned that there will be a harsh response if the bodies of the deceased hostages are not transferred on time according to the agreement.
Hamas has stated that it was unable to return all the bodies due to its limitations. It also claimed that some of the bodies were in areas where the Israeli army was present.
