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For 84 years, acting corporal Patrick William Cotterill rested in the Gaza War Cemetery, a final resting place for hundreds of Australian, British, and Canadian soldiers who fought and died in the Second World War. Now, his grave, and many others, have been destroyed, prompting outrage and demands for answers as the conflict in Gaza continues. Satellite imagery revealed earlier this month that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had bulldozed part of the historic cemetery, with the most significant damage concentrated in the area where Australian troops were buried.

The desecration of the Gaza War Cemetery has ignited a wave of grief and frustration among families of the fallen, who are now calling for a full investigation and the restoration of the site. Daniel Cotterill, the nephew of Corporal Patrick William Cotterill, described the damage as “industrial,” stating, “It looks like it’s flattened… It’s a terrible thing, in the midst of lots of other terrible things.” The incident underscores the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict on cultural heritage and the enduring pain of war for those left behind.

Corporal Cotterill, a member of the Reserve Motor Transport Company, died on July 15, 1941, at Hirbiya beach in Gaza while attempting to rescue a struggling comrade. His sacrifice, and that of the other soldiers interred at the cemetery, had been honored for decades by Palestinian caretakers, including Essam Jaradah, who described the site as “considered one of the most beautiful archaeological sites in Gaza.” Jaradah expressed profound sorrow, stating, “I feel a sorrow like that of a child who has lost his mother. Pain and bitterness grip my heart over the cemetery, just as deeply as the pain of losing my home entirely.”

IDF Confirms Excavation, Cites Security Concerns

The IDF has acknowledged the damage to the cemetery, stating that it was a result of “operational measures” taken to neutralize threats during military operations. According to reports from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), the IDF confirmed excavating below the graves to a depth of 30 meters in an effort to destroy a Hamas tunnel, but could not confirm whether any steps were taken to preserve the remains. The IDF stated that during operations in the area, “terrorists attempted to attack IDF troops and took cover in structures close to the cemetery.”

The Tuffah area of Gaza City, where the cemetery is located, has been heavily shelled throughout the current conflict. However, the damage to the cemetery appears to be more systematic, occurring between April and May of last year. The destruction has prompted calls for action from Australian officials and veterans’ organizations.

Australian Government Response and Family Demands

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese raised the issue with Israeli President Isaac Herzog during his recent visit. Herzog’s office stated that the president “committed to checking the issue with the relevant officials and authorities upon his return to Israel.” The Returned and Services League of Australia (RSL) has also sought assurances regarding the state of the Australian graves from the Office of Australian War Graves and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, which confirmed the “significant damage” to the site.

Families of the Australian soldiers buried in the cemetery are demanding access for Australian officials to assess the extent of the damage and advocate for the cemetery’s restoration. Daniel Cotterill, along with the family of another Australian soldier, Albert Kemp, are leading the charge. “This is industrial damage, by the look of it, they’ve flattened the whole corner of it,” Cotterill said. “What I’d like to see, the moment it is safe enough to do so, I’d really like it to be restored to the way that it was.”

A spokesperson for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs stated the government is “deeply concerned” about the reports of destruction, emphasizing the importance of these graves to Australians and all Commonwealth veterans. The Office of Australian War Graves has assured the RSL that repairs will be undertaken as soon as it is safe to do so.

The fate of the Gaza War Cemetery remains uncertain as the conflict continues. The focus now shifts to securing access for assessment teams and determining the feasibility of restoring this important historical site to its former state, ensuring the memory of those who served is preserved for future generations.

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Risør, Norway – A residential fire in Risør, Norway, has resulted in the complete collapse of a single-family home, with emergency services working to prevent further spread to neighboring structures. The blaze, first reported at approximately 6:50 PM local time on Thursday, February 19, 2026, prompted a large-scale response from police, fire, and ambulance personnel, according to Agder Police District.

Initial reports indicated a significant fire with the potential to spread, but firefighters successfully contained the flames, preventing them from reaching adjacent buildings and vehicles. The house was already fully engulfed when fire crews arrived on the scene, as reported by Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK).

As of 9:42 PM local time, police had contacted all individuals registered as residents at the address, and We see currently believed that no one was inside the home at the time of the fire. “It is therefore assumed that there are no people in the burnt-down house,” stated Operations Leader Frode Vang of the Agder Police District. The fire department continues to work on extinguishing remaining hotspots, with operations expected to continue late into the night, according to Aust Agder Blad.

The fire occurred on Spirekleiv in Risør. Camilla Wiik, a local resident, reported the fire to emergency services and described a 20-minute wait for the arrival of fire crews, noting the anxiety of watching the blaze escalate. “After 20 minutes, the fire department arrived. It’s a long 20 minutes when you’re standing there waiting for them,” she told Aust Agder Blad.

Timeline of Events

The incident unfolded as follows:

• 6:50 PM (February 19, 2026): Police receive the first report of a fire at a single-family home on Spirekleiv in Risør.
• Approximately 7:00 PM: Emergency services, including ambulance, fire department, and police, are dispatched to the scene.
• 8:42 PM: Police confirm contact with all registered residents of the property and believe no one was inside.
• 9:45 PM: The house has collapsed and is burning completely down. Firefighters are securing neighboring properties.

The cause of the fire remains unknown at this time. The extent of the damage is significant, with the home completely destroyed. Fire crews from Tvedestrand were dispatched to assist Risør’s fire department in managing the situation, according to Nettavisen.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident and will likely provide further updates as they turn into available. The focus remains on ensuring the complete extinguishment of the fire and assessing any potential risks to surrounding properties. The incident highlights the importance of swift emergency response and the potential dangers of residential fires.

What comes next will be a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire. Authorities will work to determine the origin and contributing factors, which will inform future fire prevention efforts in the region. We will continue to provide updates as more information is released.

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