Bethlehem, the historic birthplace of Jesus in the West Bank, has transformed into a ghost town devoid of any Christmas joy or celebration due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. The traditional Christmas Eve festivities in the city, particularly in Manger Square, were canceled, leaving the square devoid of its usual vibrant energy and bustling crowds of tourists. The absence of sparkling lights and the iconic Christmas tree added to the somber atmosphere. This year, Bethlehem’s economy has suffered a significant setback as it heavily relies on tourism, which typically contributes around 70% of its income during the Christmas season. The cancellation of flights to Israel by major airlines has resulted in a sharp decline in foreign visitors. Local reports indicate that over 70 hotels in Bethlehem had to shut down, leading to the loss of thousands of jobs. The impact of the war on the Christmas spirit was evident as gift shops were slow to open on Christmas Eve, and even when they did, there were few visitors. Local business owners expressed their solidarity with the suffering in Gaza, stating that celebrating as normal felt unjustifiable when others were without homes. The city’s residents and priests also acknowledged the shadow cast on Bethlehem’s Christmas celebrations, highlighting the difficulty of rejoicing when their fellow Palestinians in Gaza were experiencing immense loss and hardship. The violence between Israel and Hamas during the war has resulted in over 20,000 Palestinian deaths and more than 50,000 injuries, with a majority of Gaza’s residents being displaced. The war was triggered by Hamas’ assault on southern Israel, which caused the deaths of approximately 1,200 people, including civilians, and took hostages. The West Bank also witnessed an increase in violence, with around 300 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces. The conflict has significantly impacted life across the Israeli-occupied territory, making it difficult for Palestinians to move within and outside their towns. The checkpoint restrictions have also prevented tens of thousands of Palestinians from commuting to work in Israel. The article ends with a link to the full article for further reading.