UAE sponsors mass wedding for 250 Palestinian couples

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has sponsored a mass wedding for 250 Palestinian couples in Gaza, offering them a moment of celebration amid the destruction, displacement and economic hardship caused by the ongoing war. The ceremony took place on Friday at Gaza City's beachfront, organized by the UAE's Operation Gallant Knight 3.

The report, published by UAE-based newspaper The National on Saturday, details how the event united brides and grooms from different parts of Gaza. The women wore wedding gowns and carried bouquets, while the men donned dark suits, some also wearing traditional keffiyeh scarves. Many of the couples had delayed their weddings due to the war, displacement, and financial difficulties that have made marriage increasingly unaffordable for young Palestinians.

Dr Anwar Gargash, the UAE's diplomatic adviser to President Sheikh Mohamed, emphasized the country's ongoing humanitarian commitment to Gaza. Gargash stated that the event exemplified the UAE's continued support. He added that humanitarian assistance encompasses more than just alleviating suffering, also aiming to "bring back a smile and revive hope for a better tomorrow."

The wedding coincides with the UAE's three-year mark of Operation Gallant Knight 3, its humanitarian mission in Gaza. The operation has delivered over 136,000 tonnes of aid valued at $4.16bn, with the UAE contributing about 46% of the international humanitarian assistance to Gaza. The aid program covers food, medical supplies, shelter, and other forms of support for Gaza residents affected by the conflict.