Bethlehem marked a cautious return of Christmas celebrations after two years of the Gaza war, with residents and businesses hoping for economic revival. While tourism remains low and West Bank tensions persist, locals say the festivities signal a fragile but welcome sense of hope.
The normally bustling biblical birthplace of Jesus resembled a ghost town on Sunday, as Christmas Eve celebrations in Bethlehem were called off due to the Israel-Hamas war.
A small group of residents and religious leaders participated in the tree-lighting ceremony at Manger Square near the Church of the Nativity, where Christians believe Jesus was born.
