The Gaza War Cemetery, a final resting place for hundreds of Commonwealth soldiers – including Australians – has sustained significant damage after being bulldozed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The destruction, confirmed by satellite imagery, has sparked outrage and calls for investigation and restoration from families of the deceased and veterans’ organizations.
Among those affected is the family of acting corporal Patrick William Cotterill, who died , at Hirbiya beach in Gaza while attempting to rescue a fellow soldier. For , Cotterill’s grave, marked as AD9, lay undisturbed in the cemetery, alongside the remains of Australian, British, and Canadian service members. His nephew, Daniel Cotterill, described the damage as “industrial,” stating, “It looks like it’s flattened. It’s a terrible thing, in the midst of lots of other terrible things.”
The Guardian first revealed the damage to the cemetery earlier this month, reporting that the IDF had bulldozed part of the site. Satellite imagery indicates the most severe damage occurred in the section where Australian troops were buried. The cemetery, which also contains the graves of soldiers from the First World War, had been a meticulously maintained site for generations, cared for by Palestinian caretakers like Essam Jaradah, who lamented the destruction as a deeply personal loss.
The IDF has acknowledged taking “operational measures” in the area, stating that troops were responding to threats from terrorists who had taken cover near the cemetery. According to the IDF, excavations were carried out up to a depth of to neutralize these threats. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) reported this week that the IDF confirmed excavations took place but did not specify whether any steps were taken to preserve the remains.
The desecration has prompted a diplomatic response, with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese raising the issue with Israeli President Isaac Herzog during his visit last week. Herzog’s office stated that the president committed to investigating the matter upon his return to Israel.
The Returned and Services League of Australia (RSL) has also expressed deep concern, seeking assurances from the Office of Australian War Graves and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission regarding the condition of the Australian graves. The RSL’s national president, Peter Tinley, stated that the organization had been informed that the graves would be repaired as soon as conditions permitted. However, Tinley acknowledged the ongoing conflict makes active monitoring of the cemetery “extremely difficult.”
A spokesperson for the Australian Department of Veterans’ Affairs confirmed the government’s “deep concern” over the reports, emphasizing the importance of the graves to Australians and all Commonwealth veterans. The government has reportedly communicated this importance to Israel.
The Gaza War Cemetery holds a significant place in the history of the region. Established after the First World War, it initially served as a burial ground for soldiers who died during the Palestine campaign. A Royal Air Force aerodrome was developed nearby beginning in , further cementing the area’s connection to military history. Today, the cemetery contains over 3,200 Commonwealth burials from both World Wars, as well as graves of other nationalities.
Daniel Cotterill, along with the family of another Australian soldier buried at the site, Albert Kemp, are advocating for the cemetery’s full restoration. “What I’d like to see, the moment it is safe enough to do so, I’d really like it to be restored to the way that it was,” Cotterill said. The families are also requesting safe passage for Australian officials to assess the extent of the damage firsthand.
The incident underscores the vulnerability of cultural and historical sites during armed conflict. The destruction of the Gaza War Cemetery serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of war and the importance of protecting places of remembrance, even – and especially – in times of crisis.
