Bethlehem marked another somber Christmas Eve as the usual festive lights and tourists were absent, underlining the impact of conflict in Gaza on the celebrations.
Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa expressed sorrow over the emptiness in Manger Square, hoping for a better next year, saying 'this has to be the last Christmas that is so sad.'
Several Palestinian Christians residing in Gaza City reported being displaced since the conflict began, longing for the return to normalcy: 'We hope by next year… we'd be able to celebrate Christmas at our homes.'
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