Bethlehem sees full Christmas revelry for first time since outbreak of Gaza war

Hundreds parade down Manger Square, thought to be Jesus’s birthplace, as bagpipes and drums return to West Bank city, which hosted subdued celebrations in recent years

Scouts marched under a clear blue sky in Bethlehem on Wednesday, as the Palestinian city emerged from the shadow of the war in Gaza to celebrate its first festive Christmas in more than two years.

Throughout the war in Gaza, which began with Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, a somber tone had marked Christmas in the biblical birthplace of Jesus Christ.

But on Wednesday, celebrations were in full swing again in the West Bank city, as a fragile truce held in the Strip, where hundreds of thousands of people are facing the winter in makeshift tents.

In the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV was due to deliver his first Christmas Mass at Saint Peter’s Basilica, after he called for “24 hours of peace in the whole world.”

In Bethlehem, the sound of drums and bagpipes playing renditions of popular Christmas carols filled the air, as Christians, young and old made their way to the city’s central Manger Square.

“Today is full of joy because we haven’t been able to celebrate because of the war,” said Milagros Anstas, 17, dressed in the yellow and blue uniform of Bethlehem’s Salesian scout group.

Hundreds of people took part in the parade down Bethlehem’s narrow Star Street, while a dense crowd massed in the square.

A towering Christmas tree covered with red and gold baubles sparkled next to the Church of the Nativity.

The basilica dates back to the fourth Century and was built on top of a grotto where Christians believe Jesus was born more than 2,000 years ago.

Bethlehem residents hope the return of Christmas festivities will breathe life back into the city.

“We need to get the message to the whole world and this is the only way,” said George Hanna, from the neighboring town of Beit Jala.

Bethlehem’s municipality toned down Christmas festivities while war raged in the region, but a US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has halted full-scale fighting since October.

“This year we want a Christmas full of light because this is what we need after two years of darkness,” said Jerusalem’s Latin Patriarch, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, before leading Midnight Mass at the Church of the Nativity.

The senior cleric visited war-battered Gaza over the weekend, leading a Christmas Mass at the Holy Family Parish in Gaza City on Sunday.

He told the crowd in Manger Square that he had witnessed “a disaster” in the Palestinian territory, but also a spirit of resilience.

“The situation is really catastrophic. But I saw there also the desire of life, as here,” he said.

“In the midst of nothing, they have been able to celebrate.”

Carmelina Piedimonte, who travelled to Bethlehem from Italy as part of a Catholic group, said witnessing the Christmas celebrations in the occupied West Bank had filled her with hope.

“If in your heart you have love, then it’s possible to have a world without war,” she said, as bells rang out behind her.

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.