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Bethlehem, traditionally the heart of Christmas celebrations in the West Bank, has fallen silent this holiday season. For the second consecutive year, public Christmas festivities have been cancelled due to the Gaza war, with Palestinians limiting observances to religious services and family gatherings. The usual festive atmosphere is notably absent - no street decorations or traditional Christmas tree stand before the Nativity Church, the historical birthplace of Jesus. At the Lutheran church, the Nativity scene depicts baby Jesus amid rubble, reflecting the current crisis. Reverend Dr. Munther Isaac, a local Lutheran pastor, notes the town's somber mood in solidarity with Gaza. Many Bethlehem Christians have personal connections to Gaza, where hundreds of Christians have sought shelter in churches amidst the conflict. The war, triggered by Hamas's October 7 attack that killed 1,200 people and took 250 hostages, has resulted in […]

Israeli military operations in West Bank refugee camps resulted in eight Palestinian fatalities on Tuesday, including two women and a teenager, according to Palestinian health officials. The raids targeted Tulkarem and Nur Shams refugee camps. In Tulkarem, seven Palestinians died during Israeli troop and drone operations. The casualties included Khawla Ali Abdullah Abdo, 53, and Bara Khalid Hussein, 30, who reportedly died in drone strikes. Fathi Saeed Salem Obaid, 18, was killed by gunshots to his chest and abdomen. In Nur Shams, Israeli forces shot and killed Mahmoud Muhammad Khaled Amar, whose body was found in the Abu Bakr as-Siddiq Mosque neighborhood. The Wafa news agency reported additional injuries following a drone strike in the area. The Israeli military described the Tulkarem operation as "counterterrorism," reporting one Palestinian death, 18 arrests, and weapons seizures. Hamas's military wing, Al-Qassam Brigades, confirmed […]