Christmas canceled in Bethlehem

At 1:57 in the morning, Philippine time, 25 December 2023, the news came that Christmas in Bethlehem was canceled due to the Israel-Hamas war.

There's just darkness, anger and grief in Bethlehem. The typically bustling biblical birthplace of Jesus resembles a ghost town after Christmas Eve celebrations in Bethlehem were called off because of the war.

The festive lights and Christmas tree that traditionally decorate Manger Square are missing, along with the throngs of foreign tourists and jubilant youth marching bands that gather in the West Bank town each year to mark the holiday. Dozens of Palestinian security forces patrolled the empty square.

Will the Israel-Hamas war spiral into a wider conflict? With the war poised to enter the third month of fighting, the conflict continues to escalate.

"May Christmas strengthen the commitment to open paths for peace," Pope Francis said.

Two days ago, Israeli forces attacked the only Catholic parish in Gaza.

The Pope condemned the attack on the compound of the Catholic parish, "where there were no terrorists, but families, children, people who are sick and have disabilities, and nuns," said the Pope.

"Some say, 'This is terrorism. This is war,'" he said. "That is why the Scriptures affirm that God stops wars… breaks the bow, splinters the spear (Psalm 46.10). Let us pray to look for peace."

"Let us not forget our brothers and sisters suffering from war, in Ukraine, in Palestine and Israel and other conflict zones," he said. "May Christmas open paths for peace."

Last 23 December, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked Joe Biden for the US stand at the UN Security Council.

The call between the two leaders came after the UN Security Council passed a resolution that called for a scaling-up of aid for Gaza but came short of calling for a ceasefire or pause in the fighting.  US opposition led to days of delay before the final version was approved.

The United States also opposed the demand to create a UN monitoring mechanism for aid, ensuring Israel would continue to have a role in inspecting deliveries. Netanyahu "expressed his appreciation" for the US actions, his office said. He also made it clear that Israel would continue the war until all its goals were completed.

According to Agnes Callamard, secretary general of Amnesty International, the United States holds the key to the Gaza ceasefire.

According to her, the new UN Security Council resolution for humanitarian relief will only result in a "drop in the ocean suffering" in Gaza.

"There should not be a hindrance to the delivery of humanitarian assistance and create the conditions for making delivery impossible," the amnesty chief said.

"There is only one country that can unlock what's happening at the moment — the carnage, the mass-scale violation of international law. The country is the United States. People in the White House and the State Department, they hold the key to aid delivery and a ceasefire."

Hostages will be freed when Hamas is defeated. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will keep fighting until it defeats Hamas as it is the only way to free the Israeli captives.

"We're doing everything we can to protect our soldiers' lives," Netanyahu said in a statement. "But there is one thing we will not do: we will not stop until we are victorious. The only way to free our hostages is to defeat Hamas and ensure that Gaza is no longer a threat to Israel."

The Israeli military lost 10 soldiers in Gaza on Saturday, 23 December, making it one of the deadliest days for Israeli troops since fighting began on 7 October 2023.