Mass Wedding for 300 Brides And Grooms in Central Gaza

In the besieged Gaza Strip of Palestine, occupying Israeli forces have been carrying out widespread destruction and violence for more than three years. Amid this ongoing crisis, a rare moment of joy emerged as 300 couples took part in a mass wedding. The ceremony was held last Friday (April 24) in central Gaza, with support from the United Arab Emirates. According to Gal News, the event was attended by family members of the newlyweds, local leaders, and representatives. Staff from various international organizations and members of the public were also present. In total, around 20,000 people gathered to witness the ceremony. The mass wedding was organized under the UAE’s “Gallant Night 3” program, aimed at helping couples who were unable to afford marriage due to financial hardship. Thousands of residents had applied for the program, from which 300 couples were selected. Applications opened in February. Organizers stated that priority was given to unmarried individuals facing financial difficulties. In addition to the wedding ceremony, the couples received various forms of support, including gifts. The event began with a recitation from the Quran, followed by the marriage proceedings conducted one by one. Palestinian cultural traditions were highlighted throughout, and the national anthems of both the UAE and Palestine were played during the ceremony.