The Australian government has strongly condemned any threats to desecrate war graves following the revelation of a Hamas plot to exhume the remains of Australian soldiers. The conspiracy, detailed in a seven-page document discovered in Gaza in 2022, outlined Hamas’ plan to dig up the graves of British and Commonwealth soldiers to use as leverage for blackmail.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) uncovered the document on January 31, 2023, at a Hamas-affiliated compound in Khan Younis. The document is believed to have been written around October 5, 2022, following comments made by former UK Prime Minister Liz Truss about moving the British embassy to Jerusalem.
The Australian government condemned the plan as a “shameful act,” emphasizing that the violation of war graves is a disgraceful crime. Shadow Veterans Affairs Minister Barnaby Joyce also denounced the act, stressing that the sanctity of war graves transcends political conflicts.
The Gaza War Cemetery, which contains Commonwealth burials from both World Wars, has reportedly suffered damage from recent Israeli airstrikes. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) is responsible for maintaining these graves, while the Returned and Services League of Australia (RSL) is closely monitoring the situation.
The Australian government supports the CWGC and has called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza to protect civilians and ensure humanitarian assistance is provided.
