Saudi Arabia has announced it will host 1,000 relatives of Palestinians killed, wounded, or imprisoned in Gaza to perform the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage—at no cost to them. The initiative, directed by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, is part of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Guests Program.
According to a statement released on Inside the Haramain on May 19, the program will cover all travel, accommodation, and logistical needs from arrival in the Kingdom to their return home.
“The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques… has issued a directive to host 1,000 male and female pilgrims from the families of Palestinian martyrs, prisoners, and the wounded at his own expense,” the statement read.
This marks a continuation of Saudi humanitarian efforts—in 2024, the Kingdom funded Hajj for 2,000 Palestinians.
The gesture comes amid the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, which reignited on October 7, 2023, following a Hamas-led assault that killed 1,194 people. Israel’s response has resulted in over 37,000 deaths in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to local health authorities.
Though Saudi Arabia does not recognize Israel, it was previously engaged in U.S.-mediated talks toward normalization. These talks have stalled post-conflict, with Riyadh reaffirming that diplomatic recognition of Israel must be tied to concrete steps toward Palestinian statehood—something the current Israeli leadership rejects.
Hajj, scheduled for June 2025, is one of Islam’s Five Pillars and a religious duty for all Muslims who are physically and financially able. Saudi Arabia’s gesture is seen not only as an act of faith but also a symbolic stance of solidarity with Palestinians during one of the region’s darkest chapters.
