Headstones at Gaza War Cemetery in al-Tuffah / Google Images
Headstones at Gaza War Cemetery in al-Tuffah / Google Images
New Zealand is “deeply concerned” by the damage to war graves in Gaza with the ambassador to Israel raising the issue directly with the Israeli Government.
Nearly two dozen graves have been bulldozed at Gaza War Cemetery by the Israeli Defence Force.
The Guardian said the IDF alleged ithad been forced to take action against an enemy it believed had hidden in tunnels close to the cemetery.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said a number of plots at two war graveyards had been damaged.
“New Zealand is deeply concerned about reports of damage to the Gaza War Cemetery and Deir El Balah War Cemetery, which are the final resting places of New Zealanders who lost their lives in two world wars,” said an MFAT spokesperson.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritageare in close contact with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), which cares for the cemeteries, to understand the damage.
“The CWGC is committed to restoring the cemeteries as soon as it is safe and practical to do so and will continue to provide updates.”
The damage at Gaza War Cemetery extended across dozens of graves that belonged to British, Australian, New Zealand and other allied soldiers, killed during both wars.
Plots at theDeir el-Balah War Cemetery, 18km down the road, were also affected.
Deir el-Balah War Cemetery (bottom left) and Gaza War Cemetery (top right), located on the Gaza strip. Photo/ Google Maps
The ministry spokesperson said the destruction was raised with Israel.
“The New Zealand Ambassador to Israel has raised the issue directly with the Government of Israel, conveying New Zealand’s expectation that the graves of New Zealand, Pacific and Commonwealth service personnel are to be treated with the utmost respect.”
The ministry has acknowledged the CWGC’s “important contribution” to the wider Gaza humanitarian crisis, which it said has “caused immense civilian suffering and extensive destruction”.
CWGC staff and their families have been temporarily relocated to Egypt amid broader conflict in the region.
