Arriving in Aydhab, Ibn Battuta and his convoy realized the complexity of the political situation as well as the difficulties in crossing the Red Sea, hence they returned back to Cairo to take the land route to Makkah.

Ibn Battuta stayed just for a day in Cairo and started his journey towards Syria in July 1326. He crossed the Egypt frontier to enter the city of

Gaza, which was the first main city of the Syrian territories at that time. All along this route, he stopped at several stations that provided good facilities for travellers.

On his way from Hebron to Jerusalem, Ibn Battuta visited Bethlehem to see the birthplace of Isa (A.S). In his Rihla, Ibn Batutta states "On the way from Hebron to Jerusalem, I visited Bethlehem, the birthplace of Isa (A.S) (Jesus - Peace be upon him). The site is covered by a large building; the Christians regard it with intense veneration and hospitably entertain all who alight at it."