Church bells resound across Bethlehem’s winding streets. The city in the Israeli-occupied West Bank ought to be bustling with tourists as Christmas draws near. However, it is essentially empty this year.
In support of the Palestinian people, local authorities decided to reduce celebrations last month while fierce conflict continued between Israel and Hamas in the beleaguered Gaza Strip.
The Ministry of Health in Gaza, which is under Hamas control, reports that Israel’s air and ground offensive has resulted in more than 20,000 Palestinian deaths, and about 85% of the strip’s population has been displaced.
The terror attack on southern Israel by Hamas on October 7, which resulted in at least 1,200 deaths and more than 240 hostages, was the first cause of the conflict.
Many people in this place have family or friends in Gaza, and the city that Christians consider to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ is now filled with sorrow.
Once adorning neighborhoods, the decorations have been taken down. There will be no religious festivals or parades. The usual giant Christmas tree of Manger Square is noticeably absent from the city center.
Normally, getting to Bethlehem, which is located around 8 kilometers south of Jerusalem, is not a simple task. Both the West Bank barrier, which was erected by Israel, and the numerous checkpoints that lead into and out of the city limit movement. With Hamas’ blatant onslaught, things have only become worse.
Israel has prohibited travel in Bethlehem and other Palestinian cities in the West Bank since October 7. Only passage through Israeli checkpoints is permitted and affecting Palestinians attempting to get employment.
The Palestinian Health Ministry reports that there has been an increase in violence in the occupied territories, with at least 300 Palestinians murdered in Israeli attacks.