Hamas and Egypt in Hajj Visa Row
The Hamas authorities in control of the Gaza Strip have threatened to prevent Muslim pilgrims leaving Gaza to attend the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, unless a dispute over visas is resolved. According to the BBC, Egypt has said it will only allow pilgrims to enter its territory from Gaza, if their Saudi visa applications are submitted through the Palestinian Authority.
Since Hamas took over Gaza by force last year, the Palestinian Authority’s remit runs only in the parts of the West Bank controlled by the PA. Hamas says it has submitted its own lists of pilgrims to the Saudi authorities for visa approval but Egypt has refused to recognize them.
Ahmad Aljoaan
