Amid Ruins in Gaza, Mass Wedding Brings Moments of Joy

A mass wedding ceremony held amid the ruins of destroyed buildings in Gaza filled the war-torn area with rare moments of joy and celebration.

According to Arab media, the event took place on Tuesday in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis, where 54 couples tied the knot in a collective wedding attended by more than 21,000 people.

The ceremony was organized by the UAE-backed humanitarian organization “Al-Faris Al-Shahim 3,” which also provided the newlyweds with financial assistance and household supplies.

The atmosphere reflected a blend of grief and hope as dozens of Palestinian couples marked the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.

Traditional Palestinian dabke dance performances and folk songs added cultural vibrancy to the event.

A special stage named “Thawb al-Farah” (The Dress of Joy) was built for the ceremony—symbolizing resilience and the pursuit of life despite widespread destruction.

A 27-year-old bride said, “Despite everything that has happened here, we will start a new life. God willing, this will lead to the end of the war.”

According to organizers, the participating couples were selected through a lottery system, which included approximately 2,651 applicants.

Ali Al-Shehhi, head of the UAE mission for Gaza, said the event aimed to send a message of hope and encouragement to the people of Gaza.