Hundreds of people gathered at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem on Tuesday to mark Christmas, even though the celebrations were subdued due to the ongoing war in Gaza.
For the second year in a row, the usual festive decorations were absent, and the crowd was much smaller compared to the past years.
In Manger Square, the central spot of the Palestinian city known for the famous church believed to be Jesus Christ’s birthplace, a group of scouts held a small parade, bringing life to the quiet morning.
One scout carried a sign that said, “Our children want to play and laugh,” while others whistled and cheered.
