Palestinian Groom Smuggles Bride Through Tunnel

Love knows no borders.

1. When his Egyptian bride was not given a permit to enter the Gaza Strip through the Egypt-Gaza border gate, Palestinian groom Emad al-Malalha, 21, was forced to find another way to bring 17-year-old Manal Abu Shanar to their wedding.

Image by IBRAHEEM ABU MUSTAFA / Reuters

2. On the day of the wedding, Abu Shanar left her country through one of the many smuggling tunnels beneath the Gaza-Egypt border.

Image by IBRAHEEM ABU MUSTAFA / Reuters

3. The young couple, who were engaged six months ago and have only communicated by telephone, made the 550-yard walk through the tunnel amid applause and cheers from their families.

Image by IBRAHEEM ABU MUSTAFA / Reuters

Image by IBRAHEEM ABU MUSTAFA / Reuters

5. Upon reaching the surface, they got in a waiting car and travelled to their wedding ceremony.

Image by IBRAHEEM ABU MUSTAFA / Reuters

Image by IBRAHEEM ABU MUSTAFA / Reuters

7. The newlyweds pose for a portrait.

Image by IBRAHEEM ABU MUSTAFA / Reuters

8. Officials estimate that there are approximately 1,000 smuggling tunnels in the 8.7-mile border between Gaza and Egypt. They have been used to smuggle goods, weapons and people since 1982.

Image by P. Santilli / AP