BETHLEHEM: On Tuesday, hundreds gathered at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem to observe a somber Christmas amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. For the second year in a row, festive decorations were absent, and the crowd was much smaller compared to previous years, reflecting the serious mood as the Israel-Palestinian conflict continues.
In Manger Square, traditionally the site of grand Christmas celebrations, a small parade by local scouts broke the morning’s silence. A banner held by one of the scouts read, βOur children want to play and laugh,β symbolizing the desire for peace and joy in difficult times.
For the second consecutive year, Bethlehem’s mayor, Anton Salman, stated that the city’s celebrations were subdued, with no grand Christmas tree in the square. While prayers and the famous midnight mass at the Church of the Nativity will still take place, the atmosphere will be more religious and reflective than festive.
Despite the ongoing conflict, some Christians in the region are seeking comfort in prayer. The war in Gaza has claimed over 45,000 lives, according to health ministry figures from the Hamas-run territory, which the UN recognizes as reliable.
