Gaza War Graves Will be Restored
MEDIA RELEASE
The Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL) has received assurances that Australian war graves damaged in the war in Gaza will be repaired and restored as soon as it is safe to do so.
The RSL had raised its concerns regarding the reported damage to the graves of Australian servicemen buried in the Gaza War Cemetery with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Office of Australian War Graves and also sought information regarding the welfare of the cemetery’s gardeners and caretakers, who may have been impacted by the current conflict
More than 260 Australians mostly from World War One and primarily Light Horsemen killed in 1917, are buried or have their ashes interred at the Gaza War Cemetery.
RSL Australia National President Peter Tinley AM said the League had now received updated information from the Office of Australian War Graves and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
“The Office of Australian War Graves shares our concerns at the damage to the cemetery and the Australian war graves and is committed to ensuring the restoration of all affected graves as soon as feasible,” Peter Tinley said.
“Unfortunately, the conflict is not yet fully resolved, with ongoing actions, and this makes it extremely difficult to actively monitor the status of the war graves and the cemetery as a whole
“The cemetery is overseen by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission on behalf of Australia and other nations, and it continues assess the situation. It advises that the cemetery has suffered significant damage including to the graves of Australians as well as other those of nations’ soldiers.
“Once the Commission’s staff and service providers are able safely access the cemetery it will be in a better position to examine the full extent of the damage and commence repair and restoration work. However, it is expected that full reconstruction will take some time as the immediate post-conflict priority for works will be directed to humanitarian efforts.”
The cemetery has been maintained by a dedicated local team, all of whom are based in Gaza. The current head gardener is the fourth generation in his family to serve in the position, beginning with his great-grandfather, who first took up the role more than 100 years ago.
“The Commission is in touch with team members and is providing them with wellbeing support. It advises that the workers and their families have survived the conflict,” Peter Tinley said.
“The RSL will continue to keep in touch with the Office of Australian War Graves and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and provide updates to members and the Australian community as further information becomes available,” he said.