Israeli forces have bulldozed part of a Gaza cemetery containing the war graves of dozens of British, Australian and other allied soldiers killed in the first and second world wars, satellite imagery and witness testimony reveal.
Essam Jaradah, the former caretaker, said the cemetery was also a vital community space for those living in the densely populated strip.
“I feel sorrow like that of a child who has lost his mother. Pain and bitterness grip my heart over the cemetery, just as deeply as the pain of losing my home entirely.”
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission – responsible for the maintenance of Commonwealth war graves around the world – said it was “deeply concerned” about “extensive damage” sustained by the Gaza cemetery.
Matilda Boseley finds out more and speaks to military historian Prof Peter Stanley from the University of New South Wales.
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