Although the fighting and routine Israeli strikes have largely paused across the enclave since the ceasefire came into effect in October, the devastation has loomed over the Christmas celebrations this year, with much of Gaza's population living out of tents and food supplies still limited.

Palestinian Christians are preparing for their first Christmas without the constant threat of bombardment and attacks after two years of war in Gaza.

Pope Leo XIV celebrated the first Christmas since his election by denouncing the suffering of people of Gaza – taking shelter in tents from the “rain, wind and cold” – and by calling for the guns to fall silent in Ukraine.

The 2023 and 2024 celebrations were canceled with a "broken heart and a broken soul," Bethlehem's mayor told NBC News, but the ceasefire has reignited "the spirit of Christmas."

Christians in Israel and Palestine are celebrating Christmas for the first time in two years now that Israel and Hamas have entered a cease-fire.

Israeli police disrupted Christmas celebrations in Haifa and arrested at least three Palestinians, including a man dressed as Santa Claus.

Bethlehem, where Christians believe Jesus was born, had canceled Christmas celebrations during the war. But on Wednesday, the giant Christmas tree returned to Manger Square, temporarily replacing the wartime nativity scene of baby Jesus surrounded by rubble and barbed wire in a homage to Gaza’s suffering.

For the past two years, as the war in Gaza dragged on, Christmas in Bethlehem has been a somber affair, without the traditional festivities and decorations and music. But this year, families are flocking again to Manger Square,

Thousands of people traveled from nearby towns and villages to attend Bethlehem's annual Christmas Eve tree lighting ceremony, which was canceled the last two years.

The most senior Catholic cleric in the Holy Land urged Palestinians “not just to survive” but to “rebuild life” in Gaza as he led Christmas Mass there on Sunday, against the backdrop of apocalyptic destruction and displacement.