Bethlehem celebrated the lighting of its Christmas tree for the first time since the Gaza war began over two years ago, drawing thousands of visitors from the Palestinian territories, Israel, and beyond. The festive event, held near the Church of the Nativity, was marked by joy and hope, with families, nuns, and tourists gathering to witness the symbolic return of Christmas cheer to the city. For the past two years, Bethlehem had observed the holiday in a subdued manner due to ongoing conflict, but this year's ceremony signaled a tentative step toward normalcy. Despite the joyful atmosphere, concerns remain about the region's stability, and tourism, which is vital to Bethlehem's economy, has yet to fully recover from the impact of war and travel restrictions.