The continued blockade of Gaza’s borders by Israeli forces has deprived thousands of residents of the opportunity to perform the sacred pilgrimage of Hajj this year. The closure of the Rafah crossing, in particular, has prevented over 10,000 individuals from traveling for Hajj over the past three years. Tragically, 71 people who had previously been selected to perform the pilgrimage have been martyred in the ongoing Israeli military aggressions.
These actions have also brought the operations of 78 Hajj and Umrah service providers in Gaza to a standstill, resulting in significant economic losses. Relevant authorities have emphasized that these restrictions constitute a violation of international law and the Geneva Conventions, as they directly obstruct religious freedom. Gaza’s Ministry of Religious Affairs has called upon Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the international community to intervene to remove these barriers and facilitate the necessary arrangements for Palestinian citizens to fulfill their religious obligation of Hajj.
