The tragic plight of Gaza\u2019s residents has seen them unable to perform\nHajj or Eid al-Adha sacrifices for three consecutive years due to\nongoing Israeli attacks, despite previous ceasefire agreements. Prior to\nOctober 2023, thousands of Palestinians from Gaza undertook the Hajj\npilgrimage annually, with an annual quota of 2,500 pilgrims, many\nwaiting years for the opportunity. However, Israel\u2019s continued border\nrestrictions have prevented residents from travelling for Hajj for three\nyears in a row, causing deep emotional and spiritual distress.<\/p>\n
\u2018We should be there during these holy days,\u2019 said Palestinian\nresident Najia Abu Lehia, 64, quoted by detikHikmah. Lehia recalled\npreparing for Hajj with her late husband before the war shattered their\nplans.<\/p>\n
The Palestinian Ministry of Waqf and Religious Affairs in Gaza stated\nthat over 10,000 Palestinians have lost the opportunity to perform Hajj\nsince the start of Israeli attacks, including dozens who died while\nwaiting for their turn to travel to the Holy Land.<\/p>\n
Although the Rafah crossing with Egypt has partially reopened for\nlimited travel earlier this year, Israel still severely restricts\ndepartures, mostly allowing only medical evacuations and humanitarian\ncases approved through Israeli procedures.<\/p>\n
\u2018We cannot organise this year\u2019s Hajj season as we are not guaranteed\nborder openings,\u2019 said Rami Abu Staitah, Director General of Hajj and\nUmrah at the Ministry of Waqf. \u2018Preparations require complex initial\ncontracts for accommodation and transport, which is impossible under\nthese conditions.\u2019<\/p>\n
The ministry has also called on the international community, Saudi\nArabia, and Egypt to urgently intervene and separate Hajj from political\nconsiderations. The chaos in Gaza extends beyond Hajj.<\/p>\n
Palestinian authorities in Gaza also announced that this year\u2019s Eid\nal-Adha animal sacrifices could not take place, meaning no Qurbani has\nbeen performed in Gaza for three consecutive years due to the collapse\nof the livestock sector and Israeli restrictions on live animal\nimports.<\/p>\n
Humanitarian organisations have warned of worsening conditions in\nGaza, with most residents still displaced and reliant on limited aid\ndeliveries. Since the start of the war, over 90% of Gaza\u2019s livestock\nsector has been destroyed or damaged by Israeli attacks and movement\nrestrictions on goods and agricultural equipment, according to the Gaza\nChamber of Commerce and Industry.<\/p>\n
In addition to the destruction of local livestock production, Israel\nhas blocked the entry of live animals into the territory, isolating the\nsector and tightening the fragile supply chain.<\/p>\n
According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), in\nNovember last year, at least 80% of sheep and 70% of goats in Gaza had\nbeen killed or died during the war. Currently, the majority of Gaza\u2019s\n2.3 million residents remain displaced, living in tent camps and\ndestroyed homes, with approximately 72,775 Palestinians killed in the\nongoing conflict, drawing global condemnation.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/gaza-residents-suffering-three-years-without-hajj-and-eid-al-adha-sacrifice-due-to-israeli-attacks-1780015035", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }