Australia condemns Hamas threat to dig up war graves in Gaza and use them as hostages

The Australian Government and Barnaby Joyce have condemned any threat to destroy war graves of Australian soldiers after a Hamas plot to exhume their remains was revealed.

The Australian Government has condemned any threat to destroy war graves of Australian soldiers after a Hamas plot to exhume their remains and hold them “prisoner” was revealed by Israeli officials.

The plot, which was detailed in a seven-page document found in Gaza in 2022, tells of how Hamas planned to dig up the graves of British and Commonwealth troops to blackmail the government for their return.

The Israeli Defence Force (IDF) said it uncovered the document on January 31 in a plastic sleeve at a compound in Khan Younis linked to Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Deif.

Mohammed Deif, the chief of Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Picture: AFP

Yahya Sinwar, leader of the Palestinian Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip. Picture: AFP

The Israelis believe it was written on or around October 5 2022 by an unknown official, apparently in response to comments made by former UK prime minister Liz Truss on her desire to move the British Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Although the document predates the current Gaza war, the Australian Government has said violating war graves is a “shameful act”.

“We condemn any threat to desecrate the graves of Australian soldiers,” a government spokesman said.

A general view of the Gaza War Cemetary. Picture: Getty

“Violating war graves is a disgraceful and shameful act.”

Shadow Veterans Affairs Minister Barnaby Joyce said while it is impossible to test the veracity of the document, desecration of war graves is “abhorrent”.

“I will not jump to conclusions until more up to date information is available,” he said.

“Above any conflict there should be absolute respect for those who have offered their lives. “Destruction of war graves is abhorrent and should be remedied at the first opportunity.

“The sanctity of these grave sites are above the political circumstances of where they are located.

Barnaby Joyce at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“Countries, former adversaries, have respect for the war graves of both their own and former enemy combatants. Resting in peace all combatants are equal.”

The Gaza War Cemetery contains 3,217 Commonwealth burials of the WWI, 781 of them unidentified and 210 WWII burials. There are also 30 post war burials and 234 war graves of other nationalities.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), an international consortium of which Australia is a member, is tasked with ensuring soldiers’ graves are maintained.

Earlier this week, there were reports of damage to the graves during Israel’s bombardment of Gaza.

Headstones at the Gaza war cemetery that have been damaged in the past years during fighting between Israel and Hamas militants. Picture: Supplied

A series of satellite images produced by Canadian geospatial firm SkyWatch showed the Gaza War Cemetery and its surrounds had been heavily damaged.

The Returned and Services League of Australia (RSL) said they will continue to monitor the situation and liaise with the Australian Government and the Commission.

Describing the siutation in Gaza as tragic, they want Israeli hostages released and the conflict to end.

The Australian Government said it supports the work of the Commission and shares its sadness at recent damage to cemeteries in Gaza.

The Gaza War Cemetery and surrounding area in Gaza in a stellite image taken in July 2024. Picture: SkyWatch

“An immediate ceasefire in Gaza has never been more urgent,” a spokesman said.

“We repeat our call on all parties to agree to an immediate ceasefire to protect civilians, see hostages released and enable aid to flow.”

It comes as US President Joe Biden said he is hopeful a ceasefire deal is close after talks in Qatar.

Mr Biden also warned all sides not to “undermine” the Gaza truce push.

“I spoke separately with Amir Sheikh Tamim and President Sisi to review the significant progress made in Doha over the past two days of talks, and they expressed the strong support of Qatar and Egypt for the US proposal as co-mediators in this process,” he said.

“Our teams will remain on the ground to continue technical work over the coming days, and senior officials will convene again in Cairo before the end of the week. They will report to me regularly.

“I’m sending Secretary Blinken to Israel to reaffirm my iron-clad support for Israel’s security, continue our intensive efforts to conclude this agreement and to underscore that with the comprehensive ceasefire and hostage release deal now in sight, no one in the region should take actions to undermine this process.”

Originally published as Australia condemns Hamas threat to dig up war graves in Gaza and use them as hostages