Bethlehem celebrated the lighting of its Christmas tree for the first time since the outbreak of the war in Gaza, drawing thousands to Manger Square near the Church of the Nativity. The festive event, filled with music and speeches, brought together Christians and Muslims from across the region and beyond, marking a hopeful return to tradition after two years of subdued celebrations. Many attendees described the ceremony as a symbol of resilience and a message of calm, despite ongoing tensions and violence in the West Bank and Gaza. While some pilgrims have begun to return, Bethlehem's tourism-dependent economy continues to struggle amid travel restrictions and uncertainty about the future.