More than 1.5 million Muslim pilgrims have convened in Mecca, Saudi Arabia for the commencement of this year's Hajj, undertaken amid the distressing reality of Israel's ongoing attacks on Gaza.

The annual pilgrimage started on Friday with throngs of white-robed worshippers circumambulating the Kaaba, the black cube at Mecca’s Grand Mosque. Many expressed sorrow as the conflict in Gaza continues eight months in.

“Our brothers are dying, and we witness it ourselves,” lamented Zahra Benizahra, a 75-year-old pilgrim from Morocco.

Gaza's residents could not partake in this year's pilgrimage due to the closure of the Rafah crossing in May, following Israel’s extension of its ground offensive into Rafah city at the Egyptian border.

“We were kept from Hajj due to the crossing closure and ongoing war,” Amna Abu Mutlaq, also 75, told Al Jazeera. “We can't leave as the crossing remains shut, depriving us of everything.”

While 4,200 people from the occupied West Bank have reached Mecca, 1,000 other pilgrims, mainly families of Palestinians killed or injured in the war who were already abroad before Rafah’s closure, were invited by Saudi King Salman.

However, Saudi religious pilgrimage minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah announced last week that “no political activities” would be permitted during the event.

This Hajj has also seen the arrival of Syrian pilgrims on direct flights from Damascus for the first time in over a decade, a signal of improving Saudi-Syrian relations amid the ongoing conflict in Syria.

In the past, Syrians from rebel-controlled areas had to first cross into Turkey before making the arduous journey to Mecca.

Uniting Muslims

Saudi officials anticipate that over two million pilgrims will participate in this year’s Hajj.

As one of the world’s largest religious gatherings, Hajj comprises a myriad of rituals in Mecca and its environs, taking several days to complete.

Reporting from the site, Al Jazeera’s Hashem Ahelbarra noted, “We're expecting pilgrims ... to perform Friday prayers, spend the night in Mina plains, with the highlight being daylong prayers at Arafat valley on Saturday.”

“This is a highly complex operation ... The Saudis have deployed extensive personnel to ensure smooth traffic and safety for all pilgrims,” he added.

Hajj is a central pillar of Islam, required at least once by all Muslims who can afford it.

Many Muslims spend years awaiting the chance to partake in Hajj, with allocations managed on a quota basis by Saudi authorities for each country.

Among the 1,000 pilgrims from Brunei in Southeast Asia was Nonaartina Hajipaoli, 50, who expressed her privilege, saying, “I'm speechless; words can’t convey what I feel.”

The initial ritual involves the tawaf – circling the Kaaba seven times.

Pilgrims will then move to Mina, a valley encircled by rugged mountains a few kilometers from Mecca, where they will spend the night in air-conditioned tents.

The pinnacle will be reached on Saturday with extensive prayers on Mount Arafat, where the Prophet Muhammad delivered his final sermon.

The pilgrimage serves as a profound spiritual journey, believed to absolve sins and draw believers closer to God, while fostering unity among over two billion Muslims globally.

It is also seen as an opportunity to pray for peace in conflict-ridden regions, including Yemen and Sudan, where prolonged conflicts have created extensive displacement crises.

Sweltering Heat

The gathering takes place under the scorching Saudi summer heat, with predictions of average highs reaching 44 degrees Celsius (111 Fahrenheit).

Mohammed al-Abdulali, spokesperson for the Saudi Ministry of Health, reported over 10,000 heat-related illness cases last year, with 10 percent being heat strokes.

This year, authorities have introduced mitigation measures such as misting systems and heat-reflective road coverings.

“Authorities advise pilgrims to stay hydrated, drinking more than 2 liters daily, and to carry an umbrella,” stated Ahelbarra.

On Thursday, pilgrims received a text message advising regular water intake and cautioning that temperatures could soar to 48C (118F).