Israel Investigates Damage to Gaza War Graves Linked to Australian Servicemen

The Israeli Embassy says allegations of damage to Australian war graves are being treated seriously, while warning that Hamas has operated beneath the cemetery.

A view shows graves during Eid al-Adha at a cemetery in Khan Yunis, Gaza Strip, on May 27, 2026. Doaa Albaz/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

Israel has said it is investigating claims made during a Senate Estimates hearing that the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) has bulldozed a gravesite that may contain the bodies of Australian service personnel.

Officials from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs advised the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence, and Trade Legislation Committee that it is believed the majority of the graves damaged were of Canadian personnel, but 146 of 263 Australian graves may have been affected.