Gaza women confront stalled divorce courts amid war-driven legal chaos

In Gaza’s Nuseirat camp, displaced mother Sohair al-Bordani initiated a court divorce in early 2025, but the ongoing conflict has stalled the judicial process, prompting her to opt for a khulu divorce that required relinquishing her dowry and any financial claims. Sheikh Hassan al-Jojo, head of the Supreme Council of Sharia Judiciary, reports that over 8,700 divorce cases have been handled since the war began, despite damaged court buildings and severe resource shortages, including only one computer per court and chronic power outages.

Lawyer Mohammad al-Talaa notes that thousands of case files were destroyed, hindering civil and property claims and leaving enforcement of spousal and child support largely inactive. The delays have trapped many women in unwanted marriages and intensified economic and psychological strain on families. Another young woman, Suad al-Naami, also chose a khulu divorce after just five months of marriage, preferring a swift exit over a protracted legal battle. The situation underscores how the war has eroded essential personal-status services, affecting custody, visitation, and financial stability for countless Gaza residents.