World
Israel Blocks Gaza Muslims from Hajj Pilgrimage for Third Consecutive Year
Thousands of Palestinians in Gaza are prevented from performing the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca for a third year in a row due to Israel's border closures. The war and blockade have destroyed the dreams of many, including the elderly, who had waited decades for the journey. At least 71 people who had won pilgrimage slots in previous years were killed in the war before they could go.