Carrie Johnson

And if it's possible, it feels even more empty and more somber. I've heard from so many people, they're all saying the same thing. We just never thought the situation, the war would last till another Christmas. So how are people celebrating this year? On Christmas Eve, there was the traditional parade of the Latin Patriarch entering Bethlehem. It was quiet, though.

There's usually these very cute scout troops that lead the procession in, and they were playing drums. No drums this year. No bagpipes. Some held signs reading, We Want Peace. Others held pictures of the destruction in Gaza. The latest figures from the Ministry of Health in Gaza puts the known death toll there now at more than 45,000 people.

There's usually these very cute scout troops that lead the procession in, and they were playing drums. No drums this year. No bagpipes. Some held signs reading, We Want Peace. Others held pictures of the destruction in Gaza. The latest figures from the Ministry of Health in Gaza puts the known death toll there now at more than 45,000 people.

There's usually these very cute scout troops that lead the procession in, and they were playing drums. No drums this year. No bagpipes. Some held signs reading, We Want Peace. Others held pictures of the destruction in Gaza. The latest figures from the Ministry of Health in Gaza puts the known death toll there now at more than 45,000 people.

And I think the most amazing thing I just want to tell you is that I was able to go to both of those services so easily. Usually the crowds are so huge and nearly impossible to experience Christmas in Bethlehem that close.

And I think the most amazing thing I just want to tell you is that I was able to go to both of those services so easily. Usually the crowds are so huge and nearly impossible to experience Christmas in Bethlehem that close.

And I think the most amazing thing I just want to tell you is that I was able to go to both of those services so easily. Usually the crowds are so huge and nearly impossible to experience Christmas in Bethlehem that close.

How are they doing? The economy here is devastated. Bethlehem is dependent on tourism. Hotel occupancy is in the single digits. Stores have closed. Unemployment throughout the West Bank is nearly at 50%. The deputy mayor I spoke with, Hanna Haniya, told us Palestinians feel like the world has turned their backs on them and they're suffering.

How are they doing? The economy here is devastated. Bethlehem is dependent on tourism. Hotel occupancy is in the single digits. Stores have closed. Unemployment throughout the West Bank is nearly at 50%. The deputy mayor I spoke with, Hanna Haniya, told us Palestinians feel like the world has turned their backs on them and they're suffering.

How are they doing? The economy here is devastated. Bethlehem is dependent on tourism. Hotel occupancy is in the single digits. Stores have closed. Unemployment throughout the West Bank is nearly at 50%. The deputy mayor I spoke with, Hanna Haniya, told us Palestinians feel like the world has turned their backs on them and they're suffering.

Since the war began after Hamas attacked Israel, killing around 1,200 people on October 7th in 2023, Israel has imposed tough restrictions in the West Bank with new checkpoints and barring Palestinians from working in Israel. And we're seeing Palestinian groups fighting each other here, too.

Since the war began after Hamas attacked Israel, killing around 1,200 people on October 7th in 2023, Israel has imposed tough restrictions in the West Bank with new checkpoints and barring Palestinians from working in Israel. And we're seeing Palestinian groups fighting each other here, too.

Since the war began after Hamas attacked Israel, killing around 1,200 people on October 7th in 2023, Israel has imposed tough restrictions in the West Bank with new checkpoints and barring Palestinians from working in Israel. And we're seeing Palestinian groups fighting each other here, too.

The Palestinian Authority has launched a rare crackdown on militants in the West Bank and is making for a tense and complicated situation here.

The Palestinian Authority has launched a rare crackdown on militants in the West Bank and is making for a tense and complicated situation here.

The Palestinian Authority has launched a rare crackdown on militants in the West Bank and is making for a tense and complicated situation here.

You're welcome.

You're welcome.

You're welcome.