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Posted on 04/25/2026 1:13:20 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Amid the ruins and the devastated homes, a new hope for a better future arose in Gaza after more than two years of war PUBLISHED: Sat 25 Apr 2026, 5:46 PM UPDATED: Sat 25 Apr 2026, 5:54 PM By: Yasmin Hussein Add as a preferred source on Google Share: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp “Gaza deserves joy” read a large banner at a mass wedding for 300 Palestinian couples in the Gaza Strip, held after more than two years of war that reduced much of the enclave to rubble.
More than 72,000 Gazans have been killed since the war started in October 2023, most of them civilians, according to Gaza health authorities. Despite the October 2025 ceasefire, violence in Gaza has persisted, with Israel conducting near-daily attacks on Palestinians.
21 Jan, 2026 SHARJAH At least 800 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire deal took effect, according to local medics, while Israel says militants have killed four of its soldiers.
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Organised by the UAE's Operation Chivalrous Knight 3, young couples in Gaza city of Deir al-Balah decided to put the agony of war behind them and chose life, even among the devastated homes, and the constant fear of resuming bombardment and air strikes.
Before the event, the aid operation shared an invitation on its X account for people in the city to come attend the wedding, held near the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital junction, Abu Assad land on Friday.
Mass wedding in Gaza Mass wedding in Gaza. Photo: Operation Chivalrous Knight 3/X
People attending the Gaza mass wedding People attending the Gaza mass wedding. Photo: Operation Chivalrous Knight 3/X
A video shared ahead of the event captured preparations for the big night, with tailors meticulously embroidering the brides’ white gowns with traditional Palestinian designs, taking the grooms' measurements for their suits and ironing the cloths. Watch here:
At 4pm, the festivities began, and a huge stage adorned with Palestinian flags and banners that read "Thoub Al-Farah" (Gown of Joy), "Gaza deserves joy" was set up. Brides put on their makeup and got dressed in beautiful traditional gowns, while grooms helped each other in looking their best, fixing each others' bow ties and riding in cars decorated with flowers for the occasion. Take a look:
Brides and grooms walking hand in hand Brides and grooms walking hand in hand. Photo: Operation Chivalrous Knight 3/X
Couples walking towards the stage Couples walking towards the stage. Photo: Operation Chivalrous Knight 3/X
A groom, who is a person of determination, and his bride A groom, who is a person of determination, and his bride. Photo: Operation Chivalrous Knight 3/X
Woman giving flowers to brides Woman giving flowers to brides. Photo: Operation Chivalrous Knight 3/X
Couples on stage Couples on stage. Photo: Operation Chivalrous Knight 3/X
Grooms posing for the camera Grooms posing for the camera. Photo: Operation Chivalrous Knight 3/X
One groom helps another with his bow tie One groom helps another with his bow tie. Photo: Operation Chivalrous Knight 3/X
Walking hand in hand, the couples moved towards the stage, while women let out celebratory ululations and guests tossed confetti in celebration. Watch this video:
As is the case with traditional Palestinian weddings, dancers entertained guests and music filled the air—joy was everywhere.
'Gaza is rising'
In comments on the "Thoub Al-Farah 2" event, Ali Al Shahi, Head of the UAE mission in the Gaza Strip said: "Today we stand among the people of Gaza not only to celebrate, but to bear witness to an unbreakable will, and to a people who have chosen to create joy against all odds."
He reaffirmed the UAE's position to continue supporting the Palestinian people in Gaza. "Operation 'Chivalrous Knight 3' is not merely an initiative, but a firm position by the UAE affirming that the people of Gaza are not alone, and that support will continue until the end."
quote The mass wedding “Thoub Al-Farah 2” affirms that Gaza is rising, that life continues, and that the future is being built despite all circumstances Ali Al Shahi, Head Of The Uae Mission In The Gaza Strip
"We see great suffering on the ground, but we also see something greater—unwavering determination and resolve that creates joy in the face of challenge," Al Shahi further stated.
First UAE-sponsored mass wedding in Gaza
The mass wedding event in Gaza on Friday is the second of its kind to be sponsored by the UAE. In honour of the country's 54th Eid Al Etihad in 2025, the UAE launched a mass wedding initiative to help will help 54 couples in the enclave tie the knot.
Among them was Saleh Al-Sabbah who told Khaleej Times, “My dream home is gone because of the war, but we will start again from the tent provided for us.”
Standing beside the small tent built on the rubble of what was once his family home, Al-Sabah was determined to start over. “I will get married here, and we will build our new home from this tent and start our family. What happened won’t break us. We are strong, resilient people.”
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That’s how civilizations actually win...not terror attacks.
This.
How many gay couples?
Mazel tov!
How many jealous camels?
They’re all muslims ....
“How many jealous camels?’’
And how many blushing ten year old brides?
How many of the newly-wed Palestinians will be invited to live in the U.A.E.?
I wonder if there’ll be a terrorist bomb or something; something to blame Israel for.
bttt
How adorable. Marriage and little Jihadis. And they blow up so early now days! Just adorable 🥰
Probably as many as at any Israeli wedding.
Is Gay Marriage [Legal] in Israel? Why Couples Fly Abroad to Get Married.
Israel recognizes same-sex marriages performed abroad but won’t let gay couples marry within its own borders. It’s one of the most unusual legal arrangements in the world...
If you’re wondering whether you can legally marry your same-sex partner in Israel, the short answer is no, you cannot perform a same-sex marriage ceremony inside Israel.
But if you marry abroad—in Cyprus, the U.S., Canada, or any country where same-sex marriage is legal—Israel’s government will recognize that marriage and grant you many of the same rights as opposite-sex married couples.
A great move by DJT or any President, would be to put US troops on the border between Israel and it’s neighbors to protect the Zionists from attacks. Or vice versa, if that were proposed, Israel would not accept it. Their true intentions is controlling the entire region. Right up to Turkey. Even now, they are fighting in Lebanon, and have special teams of “settlers” moving into places vacated after being attacked.
Believe it or Not.
If your gift for the bride is clothes, please recall she’s a “Kid’s Size 6”.
As in Years.
Gazans choose hate, death and terror…. Why do they deserve joy?
I had a Palestinian friend when I lived near Seattle. Met her at a party one night and we exchanged phone numbers.
She called me soon after with an invitation to meet more of her Palestinian friends at a party. House was in one of the best neighborhoods in Seattle. I wore a nice dress but other womren there wre even better dressed. Smart too. Their only problem, from my perspective, was being Democrats.
Through connections I met there, I was invited to other parties where Jay Inslee, the governor of Washington state gave brief talks and enjoyed terrific food with the rest of us.
. I called him Idiot Inslee but not when the Palestinian friends were around.
Additional info: Inslee lived on Bainbridge Island, where i lived. One morning, I walked my dog at a park there. Friendly dog, wagging her tail and letting people pet her. AND THEN Inslee came over to say hello and the dog went ballistic, snarling and barking and lunging at him. Would have bitten him had she not been on the leash. Come to think of it, Palestinians didn’t like dogs
Please tell me that your joking?
Cool. They’re Moonies now.
I think post #14 is sarcasm, but these days it is hard to know.
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