The 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. 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.

The RSL has again raised concerns regarding damage to the graves of Australian servicemen buried in the Gaza War Cemetery. The RSL has also expressed concern for the welfare of the cemetery’s gardeners and caretakers, who may have been impacted by the current conflict. More than 260 Australians are buried or have their ashes interred at the Gaza War Cemetery.

The RSL is continuing to monitor forest fires burning on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Türkiye.  The fires broke out earlier this week following high humidity and extreme temperatures in the region.  The historic Gallipoli Peninsula is a sacred site for Australia, New Zealand and Türkiye following the 1915 landing of Australian and New Zealand troops that gave rise to the ANZAC legend. 

The RSL is monitoring possible damage to Australian graves in the Gaza War Cemetery.  The cemetery is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and comprises graves of Australian and other Commonwealth servicemen killed in the First and Second World Wars.  

A major canal construction project planned through the heart of the Somme battlefield in northern France is expected to unearth the remains of soldiers, including Australians, killed in the First World War. This provides a rare opportunity to recover the remains of some of the 100,000 soldiers from both sides, still missing in the area, which was the scene of many intense battles on the Western Front.