Gazas Simple Weddings Become Unaffordable Due to Economic Strains

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Couples in Gaza Marry in Tents Amid War-Induced Displacement and Economic Crisis

Deir el-Balah, Gaza Strip - Saja al-Masri, 22, and her fiancé Mohammed Ahliwat, 27, are preparing to marry in a tent in Deir el-Balah. The couple’s wedding is scheduled for just a few days, but the preparations have been delayed due to incomplete arrangements.

Mohammed built the tent himself, using materials such as wood, tarpaulin, and plastic sheets. He also constructed a makeshift bathroom from scraps of wood and plastic sheets. The couple had previously planned to live in a large seven-storey house in Bureij, but it was destroyed during the war.

The wedding venue is a small space that was previously used as a cafe, rented for 1,500 shekels ($509). Wedding halls are not affordable for Mohammed, who earns little from his odd jobs. The couple’s dowry agreement has also been complicated by the economic crisis in Gaza, where unemployment rates have reached 80 percent and poverty rates have risen to 93 percent.

Saja had difficulty finding an affordable wedding dress, with prices quoted at over 2,000 shekels ($679) for a single night. Mohammed brought her a modest dress from an acquaintance, which Saja describes as “painful” due to its worn-out condition and outdated design.

The couple’s situation is not unique in Gaza, where many weddings are now held in tents with basic preparations amid soaring prices and economic hardship. The war has caused widespread displacement and destruction of homes, leaving many families struggling to rebuild their lives.

Source: Al Jazeera