On Christmas Eve, thousands of people flocked to Bethlehem's Manger Square and other Holy Land sites, after two years of subdued Christmas celebrations because of the war in Gaza

Thousands flocked to Bethlehem's Manger Square on Christmas Eve, the spot where Christians believe Jesus was born. It's in the occupied West Bank, and celebrations were canceled over the last two years because of the Israel-Hamas war.

For the past two years, Christmas in Bethlehem has been a somber affair, without the traditional festivities. But this year, families are flocking again to Manger Square. Bethlehem is buzzing with lights,

Christmas celebrations return to Bethlehem as thousands gather in Manger Square for the first time since 2022.

On Thursday, Israeli forces demolished a home and a playground, while colonizers razed land and burned a bulldozer in the Bethlehem and Ramallah governorate

A Palestinian child inspects a house demolished by Israeli forces in the village of Al-Khader, south of Bethlehem in the West Bank, Dec. 25, 2025. (Photo by Mamoun Wazwaz/Xinhua)

Palestinian Christians are reviving their seasonal public celebrations, hoping to bring light and holiday spirit at the end of a gloomy year in the West Bank.