Thousands celebrate Christmas in Bethlehem after two years of war in Gaza

The Christmas tree in Manager Square, adjacent to the Church of the Nativity, in Bethlehem (Mahmoud Illean/AP)

Thousands of people flocked to Bethlehem’s Manger Square on Christmas Eve as crowds of families and music and decorations heralded a much-needed boost of Christmas spirit after two years of war-tinged sombre celebrations.

The giant Christmas tree that was absent during the Israel-Hamas war returned on Wednesday, overlooking a parade of hundreds of smartly dressed scouts playing well-known Christmas songs on bagpipes.