Amid Gaza’s devastation, 54 couples marry in mass wedding in Khan Younis
Organizers said the 54 newlyweds were chosen through a lottery system that drew from approximately 2,651 applicants across the enclave
GAZA CITY, Palestine (AA) — In a rare moment of celebration amid widespread destruction, Khan Younis in southern Gaza hosted a mass wedding on Tuesday for 54 couples, an event funded by Abu Dhabi as part of the UAE’s 54th Union Day commemorations.
The ceremony took place in the Hamad residential area — a neighborhood reduced to rubble by Israeli attacks — and was organized under the UAE’s “Gallant Knight 3” humanitarian initiative, according to an Anadolu reporter on the ground.
A wedding stage named “Thawb al-Farah” (gown of joy) stood as a symbol of perseverance and the determination to rebuild life despite the devastation caused by what Palestinians describe as Israel’s ongoing genocide.
Families, community elders, and well-wishers gathered around the ruins, waving Palestinian flags, scattering flowers, and singing traditional songs as the couples walked in procession.
Organizers said the 54 newlyweds were chosen through a lottery system that drew from approximately 2,651 applicants across the besieged enclave.
Launched on Nov. 5, 2023, under the direction of UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed, the Gallant Knight 3 campaign has focused on delivering food, medical aid, and other essentials to Gaza’s hardest-hit communities.
Although a ceasefire formally came into effect on Oct. 10, Israeli forces have continued to violate the agreement, targeting Palestinians outside designated withdrawal zones and causing further casualties.
Since October 2023, Israeli attacks have killed more than 70,000 people in Gaza, most of them women and children, and injured over 171,000 in a relentless assault that has left much of the territory in ruins.
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