Damage to Gaza War Cemetery Sparks Calls for Reparations and Accountability
Families of Australian soldiers buried in the Gaza War Cemetery have called for reparations and accountability following damage to their relatives' graves by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) earthmoving operations. The damage, which includes displaced earth and affected headstones, occurred primarily in April and May of the previous year. The IDF has confirmed excavating beneath the cemetery to destroy a Hamas tunnel, citing operational measures taken in response to identified threats from structures near the site. The Australian government has expressed deep concern, and diplomatic discussions have taken place.
Incident Overview
The Gaza War Cemetery is a burial site for Australian, British, and Canadian soldiers who died in the First and Second World Wars. Reports indicated that IDF earthmoving operations damaged portions of the cemetery, with the damage primarily concentrated in an area containing Australian soldiers' graves. Specifically, the southern corner of the cemetery, which holds the graves of Australians who died during the Second World War, experienced the most extensive impact. The Tuffah area of Gaza City, where the cemetery is located, has also experienced shelling during the ongoing conflict.
Extent of Damage and Assessment of Remains
Approximately 146 out of 263 Australian graves in the cemetery sustained damage. New images submitted to the Australian parliament show damage to headstones and significant displacement of earth, which was pushed into high berms across the site.
Major General Wade Stothart, director of the Office of Australian War Graves, informed Senate estimates that it was "quite possible" that the bodies of soldiers had been disturbed, moved, or damaged. Senator David Pocock further stated that, based on the emerging pictures, it appeared "very likely" that the bodies of fallen soldiers had been disturbed.
Family Concerns and Calls for Action
Three families of deceased Australian soldiers have publicly expressed distress regarding the damage and the uncertain status of their relatives' remains.
- Dr. Julie Shiels, daughter of William Frederick Matthews, a World War II cook buried in 1941, described the harm to her family as "profound." She called for greater accountability and reparations from the Australian government, including an apology from Israel, emphasizing her family's ongoing connection to the grave and the importance of respecting the deceased.
- Daniel Cotterill, whose uncle Acting Cpl Patrick William Cotterill is interred at the cemetery, suggested that reparations should be allocated towards restoring the site. He also requested an apology and a detailed explanation from the IDF for their actions.
- Wilma Spence, daughter of Acting Cpl Albert Kemp, who died in Gaza in 1942, sought assurances regarding the location and fate of any remains disturbed by the earthmoving. She called for the Australian government to actively pursue this matter.
IDF Response and Rationale
The IDF confirmed that it had excavated beneath the graves up to 30 meters to destroy a Hamas tunnel. The IDF stated it could not confirm specific steps taken to preserve human remains during this process.
The IDF attributed its actions to defensive measures during military operations, stating that troops neutralized threats from structures near the cemetery. They indicated that "operational measures" were undertaken in response to identified threats from terrorists who reportedly used structures near the cemetery for cover or attempted to attack forces operating in the area.
Government and Diplomatic Engagement
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese raised the issue with Israeli President Isaac Herzog during a recent visit. President Herzog committed to an investigation into the matter.
The Australian government stated it is "deeply concerned" about the damage and has conveyed the significance of these graves to Israel, including President Herzog, for Australians and Commonwealth veterans. Further inquiries to President Herzog's office regarding the investigation have not received a response. Senator Pocock urged the Australian government to press Israel to restore the graves.