The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that both the Gaza War Cemetery and Deir el Balah War Cemetery have suffered extensive damage due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, according to a statement provided in response to a parliamentary question.
Responding to James Naish, Labour MP for Rushcliffe, Minister for Veterans Al Carns stated that the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) has reported damage to around 10% of the headstones in these historic cemeteries.
“A more detailed assessment cannot be carried out until the current situation subsides,” Carns said, adding that the CWGC remains committed to restoring the cemeteries to a befitting standard as soon as conditions permit.
While restoration is currently not possible due to security concerns, the CWGC’s locally employed maintenance team has been temporarily relocated outside Gaza for their safety.
The Gaza War Cemetery and Deir el Balah War Cemetery are the final resting places of hundreds of Commonwealth servicemen who died in the region, many during World War I. Their protection has long been a matter of historical and diplomatic importance.
The UK Government has not specified any immediate actions but has indicated it is monitoring the situation closely in coordination with international counterparts and the CWGC.
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