Christmas spirit missing in Bethlehem amid ongoing Israeli aggression

Palestinian Mayor of Bethlehem Anton Salman delivered a message of hope ahead of the Christmas Eve ceremony outside the Church of the Nativity. Despite the absence of festive lights and decorations in Manger Square this year, Salman emphasized, "We insist that we must have hope in this part of the world, in the Holy Land, because without hope, we cannot continue surviving in this land." This marks the second Christmas since the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza, with the holiday marked by religious rituals alone, devoid of the usual celebrations. Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, is typically a focal point for pilgrims, yet this year, with "Israel's" aggression on Gaza having killed over 45,000 people, according to Palestinian health authorities, the city is instead in mourning. Al Mayadeen’s correspondent reported that the Christmas spirit in Bethlehem is absent this year due to the continued Israeli incursions in the West Bank and the ongoing aggression in Gaza.