Amid the ruins of destroyed buildings and displaced people’s tents, Gazans gathered to celebrate a mass wedding for Palestinian brides and grooms.

The ceremony, organised by the UAE’s humanitarian mission Operation Gallant Knight 3, brought together brides and grooms from across Gaza for a celebration of what organisers described as love and new beginnings in the besieged enclave.

A ceasefire came into force in Gaza in October last year, but Israeli air strikes have continued almost every day.

The Gaza war was triggered by the Hamas-led attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, when about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage.

Israel responded by launching a military campaign against Hamas in Gaza, during which more than 74,640 people have been killed, according to the territory’s health ministry.