Gaza tunnel sees lovers unite
Egyptian bride, 17, smuggled into Gaza via tunnel to meet her Palestinian groom after authorities refused to grant her entry permit
The Palestinians' tunnel industry which facilitates the smuggling of goods from Egypt to Gaza has seen many unusual sights along the years, from cows being dispatched to Gaza, to cars being dismantled on one side and reassembled on the other.
This weekend one tunnel became a scene of an event of a totally different nature.
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In what could be seen as a modern day version of Romeo and Juliet, Palestinian Emad al-Malalha, 21, and Egyptian Manal Abu Shanar, 17 - two lovers separated by a border - used one Rafah tunnel to unite and wed.
Manal and Emad walk towards new life together (Photo: Reuters)
The two had been engaged for six months but could not marry as border authorities refused to give Manal a permit to cross into Gaza.
Undeterred, the couple who were forced to communicate only via telephone, hatched a plan. They would use the smuggling tunnels to sneak the bride into the Palestinian side.
Photo: Reuters
Photo: Reuters
Dressed in a white wedding dress, Manal entered one of the tunnels where she was met by Emad in his groom's outfit.
After walking hand in hand for almost half a mile, they emerged from the tunnel to be greeted by family and friends before being driven straight to a wedding hall in Gaza.
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