Can you help me get my gas fireplace working?

I have not used my fireplace in years. I have a switch on my wall like a light switch that used to turn it on. I looked inside under the logs and there is two double D batteries that I am thinking are dead. I tried flipping the “light switch” and nothing. My neighbor thinks I should have a pilot, but I think the battery controls the flint maybe? Why else would there be batteries? I really have no idea what I am talking about just guessing. Are there gas fireplaces with no pilot? I also am assuming maybe the gas is turned off somehow.

Any information you have that can help me is appreciated. I have not tried replacing the batteries yet. I’m nervous to try and fix it.