Bethlehem's Christmas celebrations are back after two years of Gaza war and economic hardship, amid rising violence and Israeli military raids.
On April 5, 2026, Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City killed four Palestinian policemen, marking the latest breach of the ceasefire established in October 2025. Despite the truce, Israeli strikes continue almost daily, killing over 715 Palestinians since October. Violence also persists in the West Bank, with settler attacks and Israeli military actions escalating amid Israel's broader conflicts with Iran and Hezbollah.