Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he is taking steps with his international counterparts to (a) help ensure that an assessment is made of the condition of and (b) protect the (i) Gaza and (ii) Deir el Belah Commonwealth War Grave Cemeteries in Gaza.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) reports that as a result of the recent conflict in Gaza, both the Gaza War Cemetery and the Deir al Balah War Cemetery have suffered extensive damage, including to approximately 10% of the headstones.

A more detailed assessment cannot be carried out until the current situation subsides. The CWGC will, however, restore those sites to a befitting standard as and when circumstances allow. Until then, the locally employed maintenance team remain temporarily relocated outside Gaza.