Thousands of people trooped to Bethlehem’s Manger Square on Christmas Eve for the first public celebrations since the Israel-Hamas war began in 2023.
Bethlehem, where Christians believe Jesus was born, had cancelled Christmas celebrations during the war.
A series of raids disrupted Christmas festivities in the small town in the first year of the war, leaving a 17-year-old boy shot in the neck.
At least 52 Palestinians were reported dead.
The late Pope Francis had queried the “futile logic of war” that prevented “the Prince of Peace… from finding room in the world”.
But on Wednesday, a giant Christmas tree returned to Manger Square, temporarily replacing the wartime nativity scene of baby Jesus surrounded by rubble and barbed wire in a homage to Gaza’s suffering, wedged with the sound of drums and bagpipes playing renditions of popular Christmas carols.
A towering Christmas tree covered with red and gold baubles sparkled next to the Church of the Nativity.
The basilica dates back to the fourth century and was built atop a grotto where Christians believe Jesus was born more than 2,000 years ago.
The celebrations come as Israel and Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, observe a fragile truce after years of war.
Bethlehem residents hope the return of Christmas festivities will breathe life back into the city that has been heavily impacted by the war.
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