Mass wedding in Gaza offers rare moment of joy amid devastation

PALESTINE: A mass wedding for 54 Palestinian couples took place in southern Gaza on Tuesday, held among the ruins of destroyed buildings as part of events marking the United Arab Emirates’ 54th Union Day.

The celebration was funded and supported by Abu Dhabi, providing newlyweds with assistance to begin married life despite ongoing conflict and destruction across the enclave.

Brides wearing traditional white Palestinian gowns embroidered in red and tied with crimson ribbons walked hand-in-hand beside grooms in black suits and ties. The procession moved past crumbled structures and piles of concrete, a reminder of two years of conflict that have scarred Gaza’s southern region.

Omar Shams, a 29-year-old groom, told ABC that he had long wanted to marry but lost all possessions during the war.

He said the wedding was possible because “our brethren in the UAE contributed to this”.

"I was engaged before the war. I wanted to marry during the war, but all my belongings, the furniture was destroyed, and there was no possibility to get married," he said, adding that "praise the Lord, our brethren in the UAE contributed to this, and praise the Lord, we got married."

Fellow groom Nae Mousa described the moment as significant for families and the wider community, noting how many Gazans experienced loss, imprisonment or injury during the conflict. Still, he said that celebrating felt necessary after years of hardship.

"We are a people that deserves to celebrate, and at the same time a people that does not want to display rejoicing because of what happened to us," he said.

Young couples also spoke of uncertainty as they start new lives under displacement.

According to AP, 27-year-olds Eman Hassan Lawwa and Hikmat Lawwa had fled to Deir al-Balah with limited access to food and shelter.

Hikmat said they hoped the wedding would mark “the end of the war”.

“Despite everything that has happened, we will begin a new life,” Hikmat said, expressing hope that “God willing, this will be the end of the war.”

He added that dreams of a home and stable work had been replaced by a desire to “find a tent to live in”.

“We want to be happy like the rest of the world,” Hikmat said. “I used to dream of having a home, a job, and being like everyone else. Today, my dream is to find a tent to live in.”

Eman, dressed in traditional embroidery, told AP that joy was difficult after losing her parents and several relatives.

She said she hoped they would “rebuild brick-by-brick”. 

 “God willing, we will rebuild brick-by-brick.”

Humanitarian Operation and Aid Support

The event was held in the Hamad residential area, amidst rubble, under the UAE’s “Gallant Knight 3” humanitarian operation. A wedding stage named “Thawb al-Farah” — meaning gown of joy — symbolised resilience and the continuation of life.

Palestinian flags, flowers and traditional songs accompanied the ceremony, attended by families and community members. Organisers said couples were chosen from a lottery system that drew around 2,651 applicants.

The UAE-backed humanitarian campaign, launched on 5 November 2023 under the direction of President Mohammed bin Zayed, distributes food and medical aid to Gaza. Couples were also provided with a small financial grant and basic supplies.

War Casualties Continue to Mount

The Gaza Health Ministry reported on Saturday, 29 November, that the death toll in Israel’s war on Gaza has exceeded 70,000 since the conflict began on 7 October 2023, with more than 170,900 injured.

Despite a US-brokered ceasefire last month, Israeli operations have continued. Gaza Government Media Office director Ismail al-Thawabta said 535 Israeli violations had been recorded since the truce began.

The health ministry reported at least 352 Palestinians killed during this period, without specifying civilian or combatant status.