A grave concern: Uncovering the truth behind damaged war graves
A solemn reminder of the past, the Commonwealth War Graves in Gaza stand as a testament to the sacrifices made during World War I. But here's where it gets controversial: with limited access to the region, how can we ensure the preservation and respect these graves deserve?
A concerned reader, Jim from Exeter, reached out to us at BBC Verify Live, inquiring about the state of his grandfather's grave in Gaza. Walter Chisholm Gracie, a brave soldier with the Royal Scots Fusiliers, met his fate at the Second Battle of Gaza in 1917. He now rests in the Gaza War Cemetery, one of two sites overseen by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, alongside Deir El Belah War Cemetery. These cemeteries collectively hold the remains of 3,420 soldiers, mostly from the Great War.
Gaza, a battleground in 1917, witnessed three pivotal clashes between the Egyptian Expeditionary Force and Ottoman troops. Our team has obtained the latest satellite imagery of these sites, comparing them to pictures from 2023. As of September 22, the Commission reports that approximately 10% of the headstones have suffered damage. Their website provides specific details on the impacted areas, a stark reminder of the challenges faced in preserving these historic sites.
The Gaza War Cemetery has been meticulously cared for by the Jaradah family for a century. In early 2023, the BBC reported on their dedication. Head gardener Ibrahim Jaradah, along with his team and their families, were evacuated to Egypt over a year ago. In a heartfelt message, Jaradah assured us, "Once I can re-enter Gaza, we'll work tirelessly to document everything properly."
Gaza's Devastated Cities: A Glimpse into the Aftermath
As the ceasefire takes hold, Gazans return to cities ravaged by conflict, raising questions about the extent of the destruction.
Without direct access to Gaza for international journalists, we've been relying on the work of reporters and photographers inside Gaza. Their documentation provides a glimpse into the reality on the ground.
Videos shared this weekend depict extensive devastation in Khan Younis, including the one above, which we've matched to satellite images of Gamal Abdel Nasser street. In Gaza City, people wander through neighborhoods reduced to rubble in Jabalia and near the Sheikh Radwan pond. All these videos were captured on Saturday, and in the case of Gaza City, the footage aligns with satellite pictures taken on the same day.
On Sunday, a video from al-Zahara revealed at least half the buildings destroyed across a vast area of the neighborhood in central Gaza.
Crimea's Fuel Depot: A Recurring Target
Reports of an overnight drone strike have sparked yet another massive fire at a fuel depot in occupied Crimea, raising concerns about Ukraine's military tactics.
We've verified a new photo of a towering plume of smoke emanating from the depot in Feodosia. The image, captured this morning, was taken from a residential building directly in front of a nearby football field, identifiable in Google Earth satellite images.
This isn't the first time this storage facility has been targeted by Ukraine. A fire burned at the depot last week following a similar attack, and we've confirmed that it was struck over a year ago. Sergei Aksyonov, the Moscow-appointed regional head since Russia's illegal annexation in 2014, acknowledged that a Ukrainian drone attacked the facility, resulting in a fire.
Aksyonov also claimed that local air defenses shot down over 20 drones. While we haven't been able to verify a Telegram image showing fires and smoke, it was shared online recently.
Using NASA's Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS), a satellite heat-tracking system, we've matched areas of high heat radiation over the last 24 hours to the fuel depot's location.
A Week in Review: BBC Verify Live
Good morning, and welcome to BBC Verify Live, where we delve into the latest verified news and stories.
We begin this week by verifying footage of a massive fire at an oil storage facility in Russian-occupied Crimea. According to the Moscow-installed regional head, the blaze resulted from a drone attack. This marks the second reported attack on the Feodosia site within a week.
Much of our team's focus today is on Gaza and Israel, where all living hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack have been released as part of the US-brokered ceasefire deal. In exchange, Israel has agreed to release 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,700 individuals detained during the war. We're working to uncover more details about those who have been freed.
Additionally, we've received new satellite imagery showcasing the damage inflicted on Gaza over two years of war. We'll provide more insights on this shortly.
Lastly, we'll update you on our investigation into a Facebook account that spread AI-generated misinformation following the disappearance of a four-year-old boy in Australia.
