Hamas has blocked Gaza residents from traveling to Mecca via Egypt for the annual Haj pilgrimage, apparently because of a dispute between the warring Fatah and Hamas factions. Hamas claimed that Egypt had not carried out an agreement to open the border, but Egyptian officials said they had opened it but no one came.
Saudi Arabia said it issued visas for Arabs who are registered with the Palestinian Authority, headed by Fatah Chairman Mahmoud Abbas. Gaza is under the control of Hamas, headed by de facto Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh.