UAE sponsors mass wedding for 250 Palestinian couples

The United Arab Emirates sponsored a mass wedding for 250 Palestinian couples in Gaza, providing a moment of joy amidst destruction and hardship caused by the ongoing war. The ceremony took place on Friday at Gaza City's beachfront, organized by Operation Gallant Knight 3, a humanitarian mission initiated by the UAE on November 5, 2023.

The event brought together brides and grooms from various parts of the enclave, with the women wearing wedding gowns and the men in dark suits, some donning traditional keffiyeh scarves. Many couples had postponed their weddings due to the war, displacement, and financial difficulties that have made it challenging for young Palestinians to afford such ceremonies.

Dr Anwar Gargash, the UAE's diplomatic adviser to President Sheikh Mohamed, emphasized that the event reflected his country's ongoing humanitarian commitment to Gaza. Gargash stated that the UAE's humanitarian assistance is not solely focused on easing suffering but also aims to "bring back a smile and revive hope for a better tomorrow."

The wedding coincides with the three-year anniversary of Operation Gallant Knight 3, which has delivered over 136,000 tonnes of aid, valued at $4.16 billion, accounting for approximately 46% of international humanitarian assistance reaching the Palestinian territory.