Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus Christ, has cut down on Christmas celebrations this year over the ongoing Israel and Hamas war.
According to report, Churches in the West Bank, the holy land of Christianity, on Monday, have called for subdued festivities to acknowledge the suffering experienced by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and West Bank following Israel’s response to Hamas’ attack on October 7.
The city of Bethlehem, normally bustling with over one hundred thousand tourists during the Christmas period, has seen a drastic decline in visitors due to the conflict, causing economic hardship for locals.
Residents are grappling with the impact of the violence, and clashes between the IDF and West Bank citizens have escalated, with Bethlehem residents facing attacks.
Recall that the Black Saturday attack by Hamas on October 7 resulted in the loss of one thousand and two hundred lives, mostly Israeli civilians. In retaliation, Israel launched a forceful response aimed at eliminating Hamas, but it has led to the deaths of thousands of civilians, with approximately seventy percent being women and children.
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