Israel Investigates Damage to Gaza War Graves Linked to Australian Servicemen

Israel has said it is investigating claims made during a Senate Estimates hearing that the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) has bulldozed a gravesite that may contain the bodies of Australian service personnel.

Officials from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs advised the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence, and Trade Legislation Committee that it is believed the majority of the graves damaged were of Canadian personnel, but 146 of 263 Australian graves may have been affected.

They also stated that the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) was in communication with the Israeli government.

Satellite imagery, obtained from planet.com via EAMENA (Endangered Archaeology in the Middle East and North Africa) showed what EAMENA said is a bulldozed track covering the south wall and part of the cemetery, which occurred between April 5 and 16.

“This is symptomatic of continued damage to land and buildings across the occupied Red Zone,” EAMENA said in a post on Instagram.

Department of Veterans’ Affairs Deputy Secretary Alison McLaren told the committee that without on-site professional analysis, it is hard to determine whether any burials have been disturbed in the newly damaged area of the cemetery.

“As with previous reports, the CWGC will conduct a full assessment when it is safe to do so. At this time, it is still considered unsafe to visit the Gaza war cemetery,” she said.

“The next step is to establish, as far as possible, the cause, extent, and nature of the damage and the responsibility for it. They then work closely with the member governments through diplomatic channels to plan for the repair/restoration of cemeteries when it is safe and practical to do so.

“During those conversations, they [will discuss] who is responsible and who should ultimately pay.”

McLaren added that the Australian government had been very clear with the Israeli government about the importance of the war graves.

The Israeli Embassy’s Response

The Israeli Embassy in Canberra told the Epoch Times that it does not have any official information regarding the “alleged damage” but is aware the issue was raised at estimates and is currently following up with the appropriate authorities in Israel to verify the reliability of the information.

“We are aware of three separate claims of damage to several areas in the Gaza City Cemetery,” a spokesperson said.

“In those incidents, the IDF was responding to attacks by Hamas from inside and surrounding the cemetery area. Additionally, the IDF found that Hamas built warehouses and tunnels inside the cemetery area to use for terrorist purposes. This is consistent with Hamas’ standard practice of using civilian infrastructure for terrorist aims.

“Israel does not intentionally seek to attack sacred or civilian infrastructure. Israel condemns Hamas’ use of sacred sites for terrorist purposes and respects the memory of the fallen through the various wars.”

The spokesperson added that Israel had supported initiatives to memorialise and honour fallen soldiers, including those from Commonwealth countries.

“It will continue to work in cooperation with relevant authorities in Commonwealth countries to honour their service and preserve these sacred sites,” the spokesperson said.

During a recent Estimates hearing, the Department’s first assistant secretary of the Middle East and Africa division, Ralph King, told committee members that he had spoken to the Israeli Embassy “to draw their attention to our broad concern about attacks on these highly symbolic facilities.”

He noted that Australia had raised similar concerns in February.

“The Israeli government maintains that the location was used for attacks by Hamas on their forces and they had to respond,” King said.