Name: Bethlehem lights up 65-foot Christmas tree as Gaza ceasefire continues
Uploaded: 2025-12-08T02:15:32.108Z
Duration: 2 min 35 s
Description: The fragile ceasefire in Gaza has meant a return to some normalcy in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Imtiaz Tyab reports from the city of Bethlehem.

The fragile ceasefire in Gaza has meant a return to some normalcy in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Imtiaz Tyab reports from the city of Bethlehem.

Jerusalem

Bethlehem held its traditional Christmas tree lighting in Manger Square, marking a return to public celebration after two years of cancellations due to the conflict in Gaza. The event took place amid a U.S.-brokered ceasefire, which has brought a sense of normalcy back to the West Bank and allowed pilgrims to return to the Church of the Nativity.

Local Christian leaders and families voiced hope that the tree lighting would symbolize peace and a renewed ability to celebrate. However, some expressed mixed feelings, noting ongoing reports of violence even as the ceasefire continues and discussions about the next phase of the peace plan proceed.

Bethlehem lights up 65-foot Christmas tree as Gaza ceasefire continues

Today, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire plan is nearly complete. At a news conference with Germany's Chancellor, Netanyahu also said the next phase must involve the disarmament of Hamas. The ceasefire in Gaza has meant a return to some sense of normalcy in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. CBS's MTS Tayeb is in the city of Bethlehem. Good evening. Well, with the precarious ceasefire in Gaza, Christian leaders here in Bethlehem have told us that they hope the lighting of the Christmas tree will be a beacon of peace for the world. The mood was electric. As thousands gathered in Manger Square for the traditional tree lighting. A joyous, if starkly different scene from the past two years, when Christmas in Bethlehem was effectively canceled by local Christian leaders while the war in Gaza still raged on. But with the U.S.-brokered ceasefire in place, there was a deep desire to return Christmas cheer back to the traditional birthplace of Jesus Christ, something Palestinian Christians Arij and Taher Harb, along with their three children, wanted to witness for themselves. We're back in Bethlehem, the celebrations. Are you feeling hopeful this year? Sure, of course. We are feeling hopeful. We hope that every year celebrate the Christmas as we used to. Kids are so happy. For two years, they didn't see anything like this. Because we are tired of war, we are tired of sadness. At the entry of the Church of the Nativity, the spot where Christians believed Jesus was born, some pilgrims have also started to return after staying away throughout the war. It's here we met Pastor Monther Isaac, an outspoken critic of the violence. How are you feeling this Christmas? We're conflicted. We thought the war was over, but we still hear reports of killing. At the same time, there is a clear sense of desire to get back to normality, maybe with a sense of relief. And I think there is an insistence on people that we want to celebrate. We want to reclaim our lives. And Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he plans to meet with President Trump soon to discuss the second phase of the ceasefire deal, Jericho, which must involve the complete disarmament of Hamas. MTS Tie Up Force tonight. Thank you.

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