'Israel' bars Gaza Muslims from Hajj for third consecutive year
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- Thousands of Palestinians in Gaza unable to perform Hajj due to border closures
- Gaza officials say more than 10,000 people have missed the pilgrimage over three years
- Travel companies and religious tourism sector in Gaza face severe economic losses
Thousands of Palestinians in Gaza have been prevented from performing the Hajj pilgrimage for a third consecutive year as border crossings remain closed amid the ongoing 'Israeli' blockade and military operations.
As millions of Muslims gather in Saudi Arabia for the annual pilgrimage, many Gazans say they remain trapped inside the besieged enclave, unable to travel for religious purposes despite years of waiting.
Hanan al-Hams, 65, was among approximately 3,000 Palestinians from Gaza selected for Hajj in 2024 before the war disrupted travel plans, according to Al Jazeera.
“I lost my son, my home was destroyed, and now I am deprived of the journey I waited decades for,” she told Al Jazeera from a tent erected over the ruins of her home in northern Gaza.
According to Gaza’s Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, more than 10,000 Palestinians have been unable to perform Hajj over the past three years due to the continued closure of crossings, particularly the Rafah border crossing with Egypt.
Although limited medical evacuations have been allowed through Rafah in recent months, officials say travel for pilgrimage, education and work remains nearly impossible.
The ministry also said at least 71 Palestinians who had previously secured places for Hajj died before being able to complete the pilgrimage.
Beyond the humanitarian impact, officials and researchers say Gaza’s religious tourism sector has suffered major financial damage.
A recent study by the Palestinian Center for Political Studies described the collapse of Gaza’s Hajj and Umrah sector as a “structural economic genocide,” citing the destruction or damage of dozens of travel agencies and millions of dollars in losses.
Before the war, Hajj and Umrah activities contributed millions of dollars annually to Gaza’s economy and supported more than 1,500 workers directly and indirectly, according to the report.
Gaza officials have appealed to the international community, Saudi Arabia and Egypt to help facilitate pilgrimage travel and separate religious obligations from political and military developments.
