Khaberni - Gaza is getting ready to wear the long-awaited robe of joy, as it hosts a mass wedding including 54 grooms and brides, an action that wipes some of the war dust off the city's features, where genuine and sincere happiness began to rise from the rubble, breathing a faint pulse of life into the city, and the musical bands will fill the air in the streets while families gather for a moment they have long yearned for, as December 2nd approaches, there are only a few days left before the Gazans welcome this mass celebration.
Through "Operation Gallant Knight 3", the United Arab Emirates organizes the first mass wedding of its kind in the sector through the "The Joy Robe" initiative, the first initiative of its kind and size launched by any Arab country, bringing joy to families burdened by hardship and easing the burden on young people unable to afford marriage costs.
The official spokesperson for the "Operation Gallant Knight 3" Mohammad Al-Sharif said: "This special event in Gaza was planned to coincide with the National Day of the UAE and the 54th anniversary of the union."
Al-Sharif explained that the idea was based on selecting 54 grooms and brides to celebrate their wedding on December 2, 2025, coinciding with the UAE National Day, as this number has a deep symbolic significance and reflects the spirit of solidarity and unity between the Emirati and Palestinian peoples. The UAE shares Palestine's joys, and Palestine celebrates this UAE national occasion."
While the hashtag #The_Joy_Robe will be used to cover the event, signaling the return of joy to Gaza after two heavy years of suffering.
The wedding will be held in Khan Younis in Hamdan city in the southern part of the sector, due to the availability of open spaces and logistical advantages there, the event will be held in an outdoor venue with easy access routes and backstage facilities for participating groups before ascending the stage.
The program will include a single speech for "Operation Gallant Knight 3", followed by performances from a chanting band, traditional dabke dancers, national folk art bands, and scout groups. The organized program aims to recreate the scene of joy that rises from beneath the war's rubble.
Al-Sharif confirmed that there are no specific security risks to participants, as the event area is a "green zone" outside any combat operations and can be entirely secured by specialized teams. Main concerns relate mainly to congestion, which can easily be managed by the available crowd control personnel.
The committee supporting "Operation Gallant Knight 3" in Gaza will fully implement the initiative and celebration. A team consisting of volunteers covering media, management, finance, women's affairs, security, reception, and public relations has been formed, in addition to external specialists to ensure the highest levels of organization and readiness.
According to coordination with field teams, community leaders, and neighborhood representatives, there are no challenges of concern."
The committee has already started implementing special preparations for the procurement, logistics, technical, and media aspects, in preparation for an event expected to be a significant milestone within the "Operation Gallant Knight 3" project series. Additional coordination is ongoing with Hamdan city municipality to ensure the highest safety levels for guests and participants.
Al-Sharif said: "This activity paves the way for organizing a mass wedding program that can serve more than a thousand people. The success of the celebration will undoubtedly enhance the prospects of establishing similar initiatives in the future, especially with the increasing numbers of youth facing marriage under very difficult conditions."
He concluded by saying: "Everyone in Gaza is currently facing significant challenges related to marriage requirements, an issue that requires serious consideration from our partners and supporters. Naturally, the UAE will be a key partner in this effort."
