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Marriage foundations are spreading in the Gaza strip as hundreds of people look to pay for their weddings in instalments due to deteriorating economic conditions and high rates of unemployment.

Khalil Zaidan, 33, has finally married thanks to these foundations, which provide loans and support for those needing assistance. Zaidan told al-Araby al-Jadeed that the average cost of getting married is $10,000, while his monthly income is no more than $250.

The foundation lent him money and offered him good rates on furniture for his marital home, and to pay for a wedding hall and catering for the ceremony. He is allowed to repay the money in installments over several months.

According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, unemployment in Gaza reached 32.6 percent by the end of 2014, 27.8 percent for men and 53.1 percent for women.

The highest level was in the 15-24 age category which amounted to 57.2 percent, 51.8 percent for men and 86.3 percent for women.

Saqer al-Ghoul, director of the Holum ["dream"] marriage foundation, told al-Araby al-Jadeed that his firm had helped 500 people in Gaza get married over the last two years.

This article is an edited translation from our Arabic edition.