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Thousands of Gazans, from refugees in tents to survivors of shelling, flocked to the city of Khan Younis to witness and celebrate an unprecedented mass wedding. Fifty-four couples, who had postponed their big day for two long years of conflict, finally walked hand in hand down the aisle in the most extraordinary setting: a public square in the heart of the war zone.
The event was more than just a wedding ceremony; it was a powerful declaration of the will to live, a precious moment of respite from the constant horrors and hardships faced by the people of the Gaza Strip.
A glimmer of light amidst the ruins.
The scene in Khan Younis on this momentous day was unlike any other wedding in the world. With the near-perfect precision and arrangement only achievable after two years of fierce war, couples lined up for the ceremony. Brides, striking in pristine white gowns meticulously embroidered with traditional red and gold motifs, created a poignant contrast against the backdrop of ruined buildings. Grooms, in formal dark suits and chestnut ties, walked alongside their partners.
Mass wedding ceremony after shelling in Gaza
The event was so captivating that thousands of Palestinians, from children to the elderly, vied for the best vantage points to watch. They didn't hesitate to climb over rubble and bomb-ravaged walls, turning the ruins of buildings into makeshift "stands." In the hands of spectators and even newlyweds, the Palestinian flag proudly flew alongside the flag of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the humanitarian aid donor and great benefactor who helped make this dream a reality.
Each couple's story is a heartbreaking glimpse into life under the shadow of war. The groom, 29-year-old Omar Shams, shared with ABC: "I was engaged before the war. I wanted to get married during the war, but all my belongings, everything was destroyed, and I couldn't afford a wedding." His voice was filled with gratitude as he mentioned the support from the UAE: "Thank God, our brothers in the UAE contributed to this, and thank God, we finally got married."
54 couples were married in a mass wedding ceremony held in Gaza. This event was seen as a symbol of hope for lasting peace after two years of conflict.
The lively music and drumming echoed throughout the square, temporarily drowning out the sounds of bombs and the sighs of the people. Although it wasn't the perfect wedding day they had dreamed of – the venue was a sunny square, the seating consisted of simple plastic chairs, or even standing on the ground – for many, this moment was a miracle.
Palestinian brides and grooms gather for a mass wedding ceremony held in the city of Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip.
Bride Adeem Eid, only 17 years old, faced the harsh reality of her new life: "Before the war, I was engaged and we lived in a house. Now, I will live in a tent amidst the destruction and suffering we are experiencing." The young bride expressed her simplest wish: "I wanted to live in an apartment with furniture and everything, but now everything has been destroyed and the situation is terrible. We are patient. I will live in a tent, that's all we have." Her simple yet patient words touched the hearts of those who witnessed it.
This momentous event was held against the backdrop of a fragile ceasefire in Gaza, which had been in nominal effect since October 10 of the previous year. Mass weddings, along with recent school and university graduation ceremonies, are among the rare social activities that are permitted to take place.
A mass wedding ceremony was held amidst the devastation. Thousands of Palestinians flocked to Khan Younis, Gaza, to celebrate the 54 couples.
However, the picture of peace remains a distant one. Despite the ceasefire agreement, Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip have not stopped. The Israeli military insists it is enforcing the agreement and only targeting Hamas fighters for violations. However, Palestinian health authorities have reported an alarming number of casualties: 356 people killed and more than 900 injured in Israeli attacks since the ceasefire began more than seven weeks ago. This has pushed the total death toll since October 7, 2023, past 70,000.
The vast majority of those killed were reported to be civilians, including women and children. Grief continued to permeate even the most joyful moments. Even amidst the festive atmosphere, no one could forget the brutality of war. This event was a hopeful one, sponsored by the UAE humanitarian organization Al Fares Al Shahim. In addition to the ceremony, each couple received a small sum of money and essential supplies, a humble but invaluable start to their new life.
Fifty-four Palestinian couples made history together in Khan Younis. They walked the red carpet with wedding bouquets, witnessed by tens of thousands of people—not only witnesses but also fellow victims of the protracted conflict. It was a mass wedding of resilient people, where the yearning for a new life free from war and death still flickers, despite all obstacles and tyranny. They married not to forget the war, but to affirm that while bombs may flatten homes and take lives, they cannot destroy the love and will to survive of the people of Gaza.
