It is a local site for picnics and recreation, and is the location of a group of British graves dating from the Napoleonic Wars.

In 2000, Italian archaeologist Dr Paolo Gallo discovered a series of graves on the island.

The remains of British officers, sailors, marines, women, and children were uncovered.

On 18 April 2005 the remains of thirty Royal Navy sailors and officers recovered from the island were buried at Chatby Commonwealth War Cemetery in Alexandria.

The interment was attended by Sir Derek Plumbly KCMG, the then British Ambassador to Egypt; Alan Cobden, HM Consul-General to Alexandria at the time; General Abdel Salam El Mahgoub, the Governor of Alexandria; members of the crew of HMS Chatham, and a descendant of Commander Russell.