Arabic version: أعراس غزة تواجه صعوبات مالية في ظل الأزمة الاقتصادية

In Deir el-Balah, Gaza Strip, Saja al-Masri prepares for her upcoming wedding in a makeshift tent. Her fiancé, Mohammed Ahliwat, has constructed the tent using wood and tarpaulin, reflecting the harsh realities many couples face in Gaza today. According to Al Jazeera, the couple’s situation is emblematic of the challenges young Palestinians encounter when planning weddings amidst ongoing conflict and economic hardship.

Saja and Mohammed’s engagement took place a year ago, during a time when their families were displaced. Even a modest dowry has become a financial burden, with Mohammed struggling to cover basic wedding costs. He has spent approximately 1,500 shekels (about $509) on the tent, alongside other expenses for wood, tarpaulins, and a makeshift bathroom, totaling over 9,000 shekels (around $3,000).

The couple’s wedding venue is a small space rented from a former café, as traditional wedding halls are far beyond their budget. With unemployment soaring to 80 percent in Gaza and poverty affecting 93 percent of the population, many weddings are now held in tents with minimal preparations.

Saja’s attempt to find an affordable wedding dress has been met with disappointment, as rental prices exceed 2,000 shekels ($679). In a poignant moment, she shares her sorrow over the worn and outdated dress she ultimately chose, reflecting the emotional toll of their circumstances. Her mother, Samira al-Masri, expresses her own despair, having married off four daughters under similarly dire conditions, each time without the joy a wedding typically brings.

As the couple navigates these challenges, they remain committed to their wedding plans, albeit with a heavy heart. The ongoing economic crisis has transformed what should be a celebration into a painful reminder of their struggles, leaving them to question the future as they attempt to start their lives together in a tent, a far cry from the stability they once knew.