Coverage dated December 21, 2023 to December 24, 2023
Christmas in Bethlehem is somber due to the Israel-Hamas war
Headline from Delaware Public Media, on the newest of 3 developments
There are about 200,000 Palestinian Christians who live in and around Bethlehem, the Galilee region and Gaza. Usually crowds pack into Manger Square for celebrations but this year the mood is subdued.
Delaware Public Media's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.
Developments in this update
3 dated developments, oldest first, newest marked. Each is named by one outlet's own headline; open its reports to see every outlet that covered it.
Bethlehem experiencing a less festive Christmas amid Israel-Hamas war
Headline from CBS News ·
With war raging in Gaza, Christmas is effectively canceled in Bethlehem
Headline from KRDO ·
Newest
Christmas in Bethlehem is somber due to the Israel-Hamas war
In previous years, Bethlehem would be bustling with vibrant decorations and joyful carolers. This year, amid the Israel-Hamas war, the town is eerily quiet.
In a traditional season of merriment, many Palestinian Christians — in Bethlehem and beyond — are gripped with helplessness, pain and worry amid the Israel-Hamas war.
(RNS) — In the West Bank and Gaza, Christians are searching for ways to celebrate a subdued Christmas, with festivities canceled for the first time since the First Intifada in 1988.
Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank, the supposed birthplace of Jesus, is usually busy during Christmas time. But this year, most festivities have been canceled due to the Gaza conflict.
The normally bustling biblical birthplace of Jesus resembled a ghost town on Sunday, as Christmas Eve celebrations in Bethlehem were called off due to the Israel-Hamas war. The festive lights and Christmas…
The normally bustling biblical birthplace of Jesus looks like a ghost town on Christmas Eve, with celebrations in Bethlehem called off due to the Israel-Hamas war
The festive lights and Christmas tree that decorate Manger Square are missing, as are the throngs of foreign tourists who normally gather each year for the holiday. Dozens of Palestinian security forces patrolled the empty square.
The Israel-Hamas war has forced Christmas celebrations in the biblical birthplace of Jesus to be called off: "This year, without the Christmas tree and without lights, there’s just darkness."
CNN By Will Ripley, Mohammed Tawfeeq and Abeer Salman, CNN Bethlehem, West Bank (CNN) — Church bells echo through the labyrinth-like streets of Bethlehem. With Christmas approaching, the city in the Israeli-occupied West Bank should be teeming with visitors. But this year, it is almost deserted.
By Will Ripley, Mohammed Tawfeeq and Abeer Salman, CNN Bethlehem, West Bank (CNN) — Church bells echo through the labyrinth-like streets of Bethlehem. With Christmas approaching, the city in the Israeli-occupied West Bank should be teeming with visitors. But this year, it is almost deserted.
This year's Christmas procession in the Holy Land is much smaller than usual, with church leaders deciding to cancel decorations and festivities due to the war between Israel and Hamas.
The Israel-Hamas war has forced Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem to be called off: "This year, without the Christmas tree and without lights, there’s just darkness."
A pall of gloom descended over Bethlehem on Christmas Eve as the Gaza war weighed heavily on the biblical city in the occupied West Bank and the usual crowds of pilgrims stayed away.The traditional giant Christmas tree, marching bands and flamboyant nativity scene were all absent in the city celebra…
Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem have all been muffled by the Israel-Hamas war. The once-busy biblical city in the West Bank misses its festive traditions as both residents and visitors search for the holiday spirit.
BETHLEHEM, West Bank — The typically bustling biblical birthplace of Jesus resembled a ghost town Sunday after Christmas Eve celebrations in Bethlehem were called off due to the Israel-Hamas war.
BETHLEHEM, West Bank >> The typically bustling biblical birthplace of Jesus resembled a ghost town Sunday after Christmas Eve celebrations in Bethlehem were called off due to the Israel-Hamas war.
Gaza's deadliest ever war cast a pall of gloom over Bethlehem on Christmas Eve Sunday, as the death toll spiralled and Israel shifted its efforts against Hamas to the besieged
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