ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM
Updated:

Hamas is looking to exploit the Hajj, the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, in order to collect financial donations under a humanitarian or religious guise, Israeli public broadcaster KAN News reported on Thursday, citing Palestinian sources familiar with the details.

This year, Hajj begins on the evening of May 24 until Friday, May 29.

Hajj is the perfect time of year for Hamas to attempt such an operation, as the season is defined by large-scale movement that is difficult to monitor, allowing for the transfer of funds or gold assets with minimal suspicion.

According to the Palestinian sources, Hamas’ exploitation may include collecting jewelry as well as cash, to later smuggle from Saudi Arabia to Egypt, and later into the Gaza Strip, using intermediaries.

In Egypt, the sources explained, the smuggled finances will be laundered or “redirected” using various methods before being transferred to Gaza.

Relatives of Kashmiri hajj pilgrims wave goodbye as they depart for Mecca for the annual pilgrimage to the holiest place for Muslims, in Srinagar, Indian Kashmir, April 18, 2026.
Relatives of Kashmiri hajj pilgrims wave goodbye as they depart for Mecca for the annual pilgrimage to the holiest place for Muslims, in Srinagar, Indian Kashmir, April 18, 2026. (credit: REUTERS/SHARAFAT ALI)

The proposed methods include electronic transfers, digital wallets, exchange companies, informal money-transfer systems, and the use of front men to split the transferred amounts to reduce exposure, KAN reported.

Hamas leadership elections end without political leader selection

Hamas failed to elect a new political leader, the terror group announced on Saturday night, promising another round of elections would soon take place.

The current race will likely position either Hamas leader abroad, Khaled Mashal, or senior Hamas politician Khalil al-Hayya as Hamas’s new leader.

The failed process comes as Hamas attempts to reassemble some level of order after much of its senior leadership was assassinated during the most recent war with Israel. Since former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was killed in October 2024, there has been no permanent head of the organization’s political wing.

Hamas media advisor Taher al-Nunu told Al Jazeera that Israeli assassinations had forced the group to restructure, and relevant vacancies would be filled according to the "consultative mechanism and silent elections.”

Danielle Greymen-Kennard contributed to this report.