Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is still eager to secure normalisation with the Saudi powerhouse as a historic milestone and a sign of broader acceptance in the Arab world, Western diplomats said.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have introduced new measures to curb begging in Islamic holy sites, including affidavits for Umrah pilgrims and group travel requirements.
Critics of the government say all pilgrims, whatever their status, should be protected from heat, and allege the authorities cracked down on unauthorised attendees in 2024.
Clad in white, worshippers began arriving at dawn for the most gruelling day of the annual rites, ascending the rocky, 70-metre (230-foot) hill where the Prophet Mohammed is believed to have given his last sermon.
