Israeli forces have bulldozed a part of the Gaza war cemetery in al-Tuffah district, damaging graves of dozens of British, Australian, and allied soldiers from the First and Second World Wars. Satellite images show heavy earthworks and removed gravestones in the southern corner of the cemetery, with a large earth berm visible. The destruction, absent in March 2023 but captured by satellites in August and December, suggests the use of heavy machinery. Essam Jaradah, the cemetery’s former caretaker, said two bulldozing rounds took place. The first was outside the cemetery walls, clearing about 12 meters planted with olive trees. The second, inside the walls, destroyed nearly 1,000 square meters in a corner containing Australian graves, damaging areas near visitor benches and memorials. Bulldozers also created sand mounds used as barriers. Jaradah witnessed this after the Israeli army withdrew around late April or early May. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the area was an active combat zone during operations. A spokesperson said terrorists used structures near the cemetery to attack troops. "Operational measures were taken in the area to neutralise identified threats," the IDF stated. They also claimed to have found and dismantled underground terrorist tunnels within the cemetery. The Royal British Legion expressed sadness over the damage to war graves, saying such sites "deserve to be treated with the utmost respect." The Commonwealth War Graves Commission reported extensive damage to headstones, memorials, walls, and memorials including those for British, Indian, Hindu, Muslim, and Turkish soldiers. Entire sections with graves of over 100 allied soldiers, mostly Australians and including British and Polish personnel, have been flattened. Professor Peter Stanley of University of NSW Canberra noted that Australians "have not forgotten" their soldiers’ service in the Middle East and called the destruction a serious concern. Jaradah, who cared for the cemetery for 45 years, described the place as "one of the most beautiful archaeological sites in Gaza" and deeply mourned its damage, saying, "I feel a sorrow like that of a child who has lost his mother."