Scouts marched under a clear blue sky in Bethlehem on Wednesday as the occupied West Bank city celebrated its first festive Christmas in more than two years, emerging from the shadow of the war in Gaza.
During the Gaza war that began with Hamas’s attack on Israel in October 2023, Christmas in Bethlehem had been marked by a sombre mood. This year, celebrations returned as a fragile truce held in Gaza, where hundreds of thousands are spending winter in makeshift tents.
In Bethlehem, drums and bagpipes played Christmas carols as Christians made their way to Manger Square. A 17-year-old scout, Milagros Anstas, said the day felt “full of joy” after war had limited celebrations.
Crowds filled the square beside a large Christmas tree near the Church of the Nativity, a fourth-century basilica built above a grotto where Christians believe Jesus was born. Scout member Katiab Amaya, 18, said the renewed festivities symbolised the Christian community’s presence and offered hope, including for people in Gaza.
Jerusalem’s Latin Patriarch, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, arrived in Bethlehem and was set to lead the traditional Midnight Mass at the Church of the Nativity. He had visited Gaza over the weekend and led a Christmas Mass at the Holy Family Parish in Gaza City on Sunday.
Bethlehem residents hope the return of festivities will revive tourism, a mainstay of the city’s economy, after visitor numbers fell and unemployment rose during the war. In recent months, Christian pilgrims have slowly begun returning.
In the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV was due to deliver his first Christmas Mass at 2030 GMT at Saint Peter’s Basilica after calling for “24 hours of peace in the whole world”. The U.S.-born pontiff was elected in May after the death of Pope Francis and is seen as more discreet in style while continuing key themes such as immigration and social justice.
Around the world, families gathered for Christmas Eve and children awaited gifts, while Flightradar24 revived its annual live Santa tracker. In Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese delivered a more sombre message following a recent attack on a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach.
