Gaza Cemetery: Aussie Soldiers’ Remains Disturbed?

The bodies of Australian soldiers buried in Gaza have “very likely” been disturbed, according to independent senator David Pocock, as new photos show widespread damage to graves caused by Israeli bulldozers.

Damage to Australian War Graves in Gaza

Approximately 146 of the 263 graves of Australian soldiers in Gaza have been damaged, Senate estimates heard last week. New pictures presented to Senate estimates reveal damage to headstones and significant displacement of earth, creating large berms.

Maj Gen Wade Stothart, director of the Office of Australian War Graves, told estimates it was “quite possible” that the bodies of soldiers had been disturbed, moved, or damaged. Senator Pocock stated to the Guardian, “Department of Veterans Affairs officials have now confirmed that it’s quite possible the bodies of our fallen soldiers have been disturbed,” adding, “But looking at the pictures that have now emerged, I’d say it looks very likely.”

Most of the 263 Australian graves are those of light horsemen who served in World War I. The most extensive damage has occurred in the southern corner of the cemetery, which contains the graves of Australians who died during World War II.

The Tuffah area of Gaza City, where the cemetery is located, has been shelled during the current conflict. However, more systematic and extensive damage was caused by Israel Defense Forces bulldozers in April and May of last year, resulting in the desecration of hundreds of graves and the construction of earthen berms across the cemetery.

The revelations, published in the Guardian, have drawn widespread outrage, including from Australian families who expressed shock at learning their relatives’ graves had been bulldozed and their remains unaccounted for.

Stothart stated during Senate estimates that photographs and satellite imagery demonstrate “severe damage.” He added that a detailed assessment of every grave and the remains is difficult at this stage. “We have not received direct reports that human remains have been exposed or damaged directly,” he said, but acknowledged, “from looking at the imagery… it’s quite possible that Australian servicemen in war graves have been affected by the damage that’s occurred.”

Pocock, having been contacted by concerned constituents, described the damage as “appalling” and called on the Australian government to press Israel to restore the graves.

Wilma Spence, whose father Albert Kemp is buried in the cemetery, wants the images of the damage published widely. She believes the IDF intentionally targeted the cemetery, damaging boundary walls, traversing the grounds with trucks, and destroying the stone of remembrance and memorial cross.

Julie Shiels, whose mother’s first husband William Frederick Matthews is buried in the cemetery, demanded an explanation from Israel regarding the further destruction, including the removal of boundary walls and damage to the stone of remembrance and memorial cross.

The IDF stated it was forced to take defensive measures during military operations, explaining that terrorists attempted to attack troops and took cover near the cemetery. Operational measures were taken to neutralize identified threats.

Last month, the Canadian broadcaster CBC reported that the IDF confirmed excavating below the graves up to 30 metres deep to destroy a Hamas tunnel, but could not confirm whether steps were taken to preserve human remains.

Australian families are seeking an apology from Israel and demanding reparations. The office of Israeli President Isaac Herzog stated last month that he had assured Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese he would investigate the issue upon his return to Israel. Further inquiries to Herzog’s office have not received a response.