Families of Canadian soldiers laid to rest in Gaza are urging the government to take stronger measures to safeguard their loved ones’ final resting places. They are advocating for the repatriation of the Canadian soldiers, who are interred in the Gaza War Cemetery, as the site has faced repeated damage by the Israel Defense Forces.
The cemetery, located in the Tuffah district of Gaza City, is the burial ground for twenty-two Canadian soldiers who perished during the UN’s initial significant peacekeeping mission post the 1956 Israeli invasion of Egypt. Aerial imagery scrutinized by CBC’s visual investigations team reveals the progressive destruction inflicted by the IDF, including demolished headstones, earthworks, armored vehicles stationed around the area, and explosions that severely impacted the Canadian peacekeeper section.
Relatives of soldiers buried in the cemetery, such as the sisters of Paul Picard and Adriaan Bons, expressed distress over the desecration of their brothers’ graves. Lia Bons remarked on the obliterated headstones, emphasizing the emotional toll on families witnessing the destruction of their kin’s final resting place.
Marguerite Picard expressed her desire to have her brother reinterred beside their parents, underscoring the family’s wish for a dignified memorial for their loved one. The IDF’s actions at the cemetery, including digging operations to counter a tunnel threat without regard for the soldiers’ graves, have raised concerns and sparked calls for accountability.
Despite the damage inflicted on the cemetery, no Canadian officials or representatives from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission have been able to assess the situation firsthand due to restricted access. The legacy of the Canadian soldiers buried in Gaza, the last to be laid to rest overseas by Canada, faces further jeopardy as recent satellite imagery indicates ongoing harm to the site.
The unresolved fate of the Gaza War Cemetery underscores the need for international attention and preservation efforts to honor the memory of those who served. Canadian authorities have acknowledged the distressing reports of damage to the cemetery and emphasized the significance of safeguarding historical and memorial sites dedicated to veterans with utmost reverence. Global Affairs Canada has affirmed engagement with local entities on the matter, highlighting the ongoing efforts to address the situation and ensure the preservation of these important historical landmarks.