## Teenage Girls Married Off for Protection on Gaza’s Lawless Streets
### Gaza’s Ceasefire Brings No Peace
Despite the ceasefire declared on 10 October, daily life in Gaza remains unstable. The already fragile security situation has deteriorated further, leaving many families fearful for the safety of their daughters. Reports show that teenage girls are being married off at alarming rates, as families believe early marriage provides protection from harassment, assault, and exploitation.
### Families Turn to Desperate Measures
Parents say their decisions come from despair rather than tradition. One father explained,
> “I did not want to marry my daughter at 15. But at least now she has someone to look after her.”
With unemployment high and social structures collapsing, many men are unable to provide for families, while women and girls are increasingly vulnerable on the streets. Aid groups warn that arranged marriages among minors are rising sharply as a result.
### Humanitarian Concerns and Warnings
Rights organizations have condemned the trend, describing it as a serious violation of girls’ rights. They highlight that underage marriage exposes girls to domestic abuse, deprives them of education, and perpetuates generational poverty. A UNICEF spokesperson urged authorities to protect minors, noting that
> “security cannot come at the expense of young girls’ futures.”
### Streets of Fear and Lawlessness
Gaza’s streets, stripped of formal policing and public services, have become zones of lawlessness. Assaults, looting, and random acts of violence are now commonplace. Community leaders attempt to mediate disputes, but they lack authority or resources. The fear of abduction or attack pressures many families to find rapid solutions, seeing marriage as the safest path available in an unsafe city.
### Government and International Response
Local officials have acknowledged the issue but claim limited power to intervene under current conditions. International agencies call for renewed humanitarian oversight and legal enforcement to protect minors. Some organizations are trying to reopen girls' shelters and education centers, though progress remains slow amid continuing instability.
> “We must restore the sense of safety so that no parent feels forced to marry their child to keep her safe,” an NGO worker in Rafah said.
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**Author’s summary:** Gaza’s fragile truce has led families to marry off teenage girls for protection, revealing a deep social collapse where fear replaces freedom.
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inews.co.uk on MSN — 2025-11-30