Child Marriages in Gaza Rise Amid Conflict

In the devastated region of Gaza, economic hardship and insecurity have led to a rise in child marriages. Majda, a mother living in challenging conditions, shared her story. Her family was forced to live in a tent after Israeli airstrikes killed her husband and son. As resources dwindled and fears for her daughters’ safety grew, Majda felt compelled to arrange marriages for her 13- and 14-year-old daughters. She now regrets this decision.

The intensifying conflict in Gaza has contributed to a notable increase in child marriages. Many families, displaced and living in overcrowded, unsanitary camps, see marriage as a source of stability for their daughters. However, these marriages often result in the loss of education and childhood, with pregnant young girls facing health risks.

Statistical Trends

Before the war, child marriage rates were declining in Gaza. The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics noted a decrease from over 22% in 2015 to 17.8% in 2022. However, recent figures from the Supreme Shariah Court show 20.6% of marriages in 2024 and 2025 involved girls under 18. Of these, 627 marriages included girls younger than 15. The real rates might be higher due to many unregistered marriages amid the chaos.

Survival Decisions

Parents cited the war as a significant factor in these early marriages. Majda’s experience after losing family members illustrates the desperation. Living conditions and unreliable access to necessities drove her decision to marry off her daughters. Though she hoped to delay their moving in with their husbands until after the conflict, circumstances forced a different reality.

Majda’s eldest daughter hesitated but accepted marriage, hoping for financial relief. Other girls reported similar motivations, burdened by familial needs and the widespread displacement. Education opportunities vanished with the war, influencing some decisions. In many cases, aid distribution favored married women, as they counted as separate households.

Legal and Social Dynamics

The legal age for marriage in Gaza is 17, with courts allowing younger marriages under certain conditions. However, some families reach informal agreements bypassing official registration, leading to higher unreported numbers. In the West Bank, where laws set the minimum age at 18, early marriages have significantly decreased, demonstrating the impact of strict legal enforcement.

Abuse and Consequences

Child marriages often expose young girls to abuse and health dangers. Majda’s daughters experienced sustained violence and sexual abuse. Her elder daughter was physically restrained and raped by her husband. As a result, she and her younger sister both fled back to their mother, only to face pressure to return later.

The head of Awda Hospital’s maternity ward reported an increase in teenage pregnancies during the conflict, with many young mothers suffering from malnutrition and pregnancy complications.

The return home to their mother provided temporary relief, but societal and familial pressures pushed the girls back into their marital homes. Divorce in Gaza is a complex and costly process, further complicated by social stigma.

Majda’s daughters, now living in Gaza City, have lost contact with their mother. Their return occurred despite their protests, demonstrating the limited choices available to many under such dire circumstances.