Body of slain Nepali hostage held in Gaza repatriated after release by Hamas

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — The body of a Nepali student who was among the hostages being held in Gaza arrived in Kathmandu on Monday after being repatriated, authorities said.

The remains of Bipin Joshi were flown from Israel’s Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv and arrived at Tribhuvan International Airport. Nepal’s Foreign Ministry said Joshi's body would be taken to his hometown of Bhimdattanagar later Monday evening.

“The Nepal government made various attempts at different levels, to the extent possible, for Joshi’s release while he was in captivity,” the ministry said in a statement.

Joshi was among 17 Nepali students studying agriculture in southern Israel when Hamas launched its Oct. 7, 2023, attack that ignited the war in Gaza. He had arrived in Israel a month earlier on a student exchange program to work and study at Kibbutz Alumim, near the Gaza border.

The Hamas attack left 10 Nepali students dead and injured six others before Joshi, then 22, was kidnapped.

The Israel Defense Force said on Oct. 14 that Joshi was killed in captivity during the first months of the war. His death was declared while his mother and sister were in the United States lobbying the international community, including the United Nations, for his release.

Nepal's Prime Minister Sushila Karki paid tribute to Joshi during a ceremony at Kathmandu’s airport, where she draped the national flag over his coffin.

“Bipin’s courage and bravery are a matter of pride for every Nepali,” Karki said. “He is a son of Nepal, a son of every mother. We will never forget him. He lives in our hearts.”

A Nepalese man pays his respects to Bipin Joshi, a Nepali man who was taken hostage by Hamas, during a memorial procession at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal, Monday, Oct. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)

People participate in a candlelight vigil for Bipin Joshi, a Nepali man who was taken hostage by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, and was recently declared dead, in Kathmandu, Nepal, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)

People participate in a candlelight vigil for Bipin Joshi, a Nepali man who was taken hostage by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, and was recently declared dead, in Kathmandu, Nepal, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)

People participate in a candlelight vigil for Bipin Joshi, a Nepali man who was taken hostage by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, and was recently declared dead, in Kathmandu, Nepal, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)

Pushpa Joshi, sister of Bipin Joshi, a Nepali man who was taken hostage by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, and was recently declared dead, arrives from the U.S. at Tribhuvan international airport in Kathmandu, Nepal, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)

A Nepalese man pays his respects to Bipin Joshi, a Nepali man who was taken hostage by Hamas, during a memorial procession at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal, Monday, Oct. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)

DALLAS (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 30 points, Chet Holmgren had 19 points and nine rebounds and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Dallas Mavericks 100-87 on Sunday night.

Gilgeous-Alexander has scored at least 20 points in 59 consecutive road games, the longest streak in NBA history. The reigning NBA MVP played his second game after missing nine because of an abdominal strain.

The defending champion Thunder are 47-15, a half-game behind Detroit for the NBA lead. They have a three-game lead in West over second-place San Antonio.

The Mavericks, with star rookie Cooper Flagg among three regular starters sidelined, were held to a season low in points and saw the NBA’s longest active streak of triple-digit games end at 41. They are 21-39.

Caleb Martin scored a season-high 18 points to lead the Mavericks, who lost their eighth consecutive home game and 13th overall in the last 15. It’s their longest such home drought since dropping 12 straight in 1993-94.

It was the first time that Martin, acquired from Philadelphia on Feb. 5, 2025, led Dallas in scoring in 65 games. It was the Thunder's fewest points in a win this season, the previous low being their 101-94 win on Oct. 27.

Flagg missed his seventh consecutive game with a sprained left foot. Dallas was also missing Naji Marshall (right-finger contusion) and P.J. Washington Jr. (left ankle sprain). Reserve Klay Thompson didn't play in the second half because of right adductor soreness.

Mavericks coach Jason Kidd has said Flagg probably won’t play when last season’s collegiate player of the year for Duke makes his first NBA trip back to North Carolina for a game against Charlotte on Tuesday night.

Thunder: At Chicago on Tuesday night.

Mavericks: Begin a six-game trip at Charlotte on Tuesday night.

AP NBA: https://www.apnews.com/hub/NBA

An injured Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg stands and looks on from the bench during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Dallas, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein (55) is fouled by Dallas Mavericks forward Dwight Powell during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Oklahoma City Thunder centers Isaiah Hartenstein (55) and Chet Holmgren, right, defend the basket against Dallas Mavericks guard Max Christie (00) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) reacts to his shot against Dallas Mavericks guard Max Christie (00) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, right, keeps the ball from a reaching Dallas Mavericks forward Caleb Martin Shai Gilgeous-Alexander during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/LM Otero)