Palestinian Ministry of Religious Endowments and Affairs: Continued closure of Gaza crossings is preventing residents from travelling to perform the Hajj

In a statement, the ministry on Tuesday said it had worked with regional and international parties to secure arrangements that would allow pilgrims from Gaza to travel to Saudi Arabia and return safely. However, it said these efforts had not resulted in guarantees due to ongoing restrictions on movement through the Rafah crossing.

According to the ministry, the deadline set in the Hajj protocol signed with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah requires the final Hajj visas to be issued by 20th March 2026. The continued closure of Gaza crossings and the uncertainty surrounding travel arrangements forced authorities to adopt what they described as an exceptional and temporary measure for this year.

As a result, the ministry said the remaining quota allocated to Gaza — after registration was opened for Gaza residents currently living outside the enclave — would be reassigned through a lottery system for residents of Jerusalem, those associated with Al-Aqsa Mosque, and applicants from the northern West Bank governorates.

Officials said the decision was taken to ensure that the State of Palestine does not lose its allocated share of Hajj visas for the current year.

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