Pakistan, Dec. 8 -- Bethlehem, revered as the birthplace of Jesus, lit up a giant Christmas tree on Saturday for the first time since 2022. The 20-metre tree, adorned with red and gold baubles, was illuminated at the edge of Manger Square in a ceremony attended by thousands of Palestinians from across the West Bank and Israel.

The public celebration comes as a precarious ceasefire in Gaza enters its second month, allowing the city to cautiously resume holiday traditions. "We came to celebrate, watch and enjoy, because for several years we haven't had the chance," said Randa Bsoul, a 67-year-old visitor from Haifa, Israel.

Bethlehem has suffered economically and emotionally from the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Tourism, a major source of in...