GAZA/JEDDAH, May 19 (The Chenab Times) – As Israeli forces expand ground operations across Gaza, Saudi Arabia has announced a humanitarian gesture to host 1,000 Palestinians for the 2025 Haj pilgrimage, including relatives of those killed, wounded, or imprisoned in the ongoing conflict.
The announcement from Riyadh comes amid one of the deadliest escalations in Gaza since October, with Palestinian health authorities reporting at least 144 fatalities on Sunday following a series of air raids and ground assaults. One of the strikes targeted a camp for displaced civilians in the coastal area of al-Mawasi, near Khan Younis, killing dozens and wounding over 100, according to Al Jazeera.
The Israeli military, confirming the launch of a new phase dubbed Operation Gideon’s Chariots, said its forces were conducting operations in both the north and south of the enclave. Backed by airstrikes, the campaign reportedly targeted over 670 sites Israel claims are connected to Hamas.
Gaza’s Ministry of Health says the death toll since the beginning of the war has surpassed 53,000, with over 120,000 wounded. Health infrastructure continues to deteriorate, with multiple hospitals now out of service. The Indonesian Hospital, once a key facility in northern Gaza, ceased operations on Sunday after reportedly coming under siege. Health officials warn that the collapse of medical services could result in the deaths of thousands more.
Meanwhile, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia said it will sponsor 1,000 Palestinian pilgrims during the 2025 Haj season as part of its King Salman Haj Guests Programme. The initiative, now in its 28th year, will cover travel, accommodation, and all logistical needs from arrival in Saudi Arabia to return to Palestine.
Sheikh Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al Al-Sheikh, the Minister of Islamic Affairs, described the gesture as a reflection of Saudi Arabia’s “enduring solidarity with the Palestinian people.” Since the programme’s inception in 1996, it has supported more than 64,000 pilgrims from across the Islamic world.
This year’s Haj is expected to begin on June 4, drawing Muslims from around the world to Makkah for the annual pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam.
International outcry over the scale of the violence in Gaza continues to grow. Humanitarian organisations have condemned what they describe as disproportionate targeting of civilians, including children, journalists, and healthcare workers. Hamas, in a statement on Sunday, accused Israel of committing “brutal crimes” and placed blame on the U.S. for its continued support of Israel’s military actions.
As diplomacy stalls and conditions worsen for civilians, humanitarian efforts like Saudi Arabia’s Haj sponsorship remain one of the few gestures of support amid a deepening crisis.
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