Clean-up gets underway in Bethlehem

The clean-up is underway around the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.

The building itself escaped major damage during the thirty-eight day stand-off in Manger Square, however smoke stains cover many parts of the surrounding complex.

The siege by Israeli forces on the sacred church was lifted when 39 Palestinians were deported from the Middle East to Cyprus from which they will later move off to other, undisclosed destinations.

The Israeli tanks and soldiers have also withdrawn from the area and the curfew on local residents has been lifted as aid workers move in to help those who were injured in the fighting.