Gaza's war cripples divorce and custody courts, leaving families in legal limbo
The conflict in Gaza has caused severe delays in Sharia court rulings on divorce, alimony and child custody, trapping women like Samira Abdel Hamid in prolonged uncertainty.
In Gaza, the war has devastated the judicial infrastructure, especially the Sharia courts that handle marriage, divorce and child-related matters. Samira Abdel Hamid, who fled her bombed home in October 2023, is awaiting a khul’ divorce that would free her from an abusive marriage while still obligating her husband to support their children. Court officials say damaged buildings, displaced personnel and missing case files have led to repeated hearing delays.
Lawyers note that thousands of personal-status cases, including alimony and custody, face similar backlogs, leaving women without financial support and children without stable parental contact. The prolonged legal uncertainty compounds the hardships of displacement, loss of livelihood and the broader humanitarian crisis in the enclave.
Why it matters
Delayed family court rulings deepen hardship for Gaza's displaced families, affecting children's welfare and women's rights.
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