One man's rocket-- another man's fireworks? Love persists in Gaza as couple marry in UN shelter

On the third day of a 72-hour ceasefire in Gaza, a Palestinian couple is getting married in a UN shelter in Gaza City Wednesday, the groom told Ma'an.

The homes of Omar Saleh Abu al-Nimr and his bride Heba Fayyad were destroyed by Israeli attacks during the month-long offensive, and like hundreds of thousands of other Palestinians, the two were forced to take shelter in schools of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees.

Though the atmosphere is grim in Gaza as Palestinians mourn their dead and medics treat thousands of injured, the couple hoped the wedding would "make room for a bit of happiness" amid the relentless pain felt in the Strip.

The two will be married in UNRWA al-Shati Girls School in al-Shati refugee camp in western Gaza City at 7:00 p.m.

The school has been decorated with colorful balloons and Palestinian flags.

"We wanted to bring joy into our hearts and people's hearts. Despite the siege and the war we will still be joyful," Abu al-Nimr said.

Yahiya Zaqqut, the manager of the UN shelter Yahiya Zaqqut said UNRWA staff has provided Omar and Heba with all their "logistical needs," including food, clothes and a place to sleep.

"This event assures that despite the pain, attacks, and suffering, Palestinians always insist on resisting," Zaqqut said.

After the wedding, the couple will spend two nights at the Movenpick Hotel in Gaza "for a honeymoon," Abu al-Nimr said.

The two will then return to the UNRWA shelter.

Over 400,000 Palestinians, around a quarter of Palestinians in Gaza, have been forced from their homes throughout Israel's offensive.