Annual Christmas festivities in Bethlehem have been cancelled as Israel's war with Hamas continues. 

The city in the West Bank usually attracts huge numbers of tourists and pilgrims wanting to see the city where they believe Jesus was born. 

This year, however, the main road into Bethlehem is closed, which has been since the beginning of the conflict between Hamas and Israel on October 7th. 

The Church of Lutheran Christmas in Bethlehem has built a manger out of rubble this year, placed where Jesus Christ is believed to have been born in Bethlehem. 

Reverend Munther Isaac said the rubble represents “what Christmas looks like” to Palestinian children this year. 

“Children being pulled from under the rubble, displaced families, destroyed homes,” he said. 

“We hope that the world pays attention to the plight of the Palestinians, to our suffering.” 

In Manger Square in Bethlehem, the shops selling Christmas decorations and souvenirs are mostly closed and for the first time in living memory, there is no Christmas tree. 

War outside Bethlehem

Meanwhile in Gaza, the Israeli military has continued to launch airstrikes on Gaza after the United Nations passed a resolution that stopped short of calling for a ceasefire with Hamas. 

Last night, its Security Council voted for more aid to be sent to the territory - but didn't demand an immediate end to the fighting. 

Thirteen countries of the 15-member council voted in favour of the resolution, and none voted against, on Friday. 

The United States, which traditionally votes along Israeli lines, abstained - along with Russia. 

Oxfam's acting Chief Executive Aleema Shivji said the resolution is a “small step” but “not enough” to help people in Gaza without aid. 

“If we really want to save the people of Gaza and really enable them to reach humanitarian assistance, we need a ceasefire,” she said. 

“That's the only solution to really be able to get aid to the people.” 

On October 7th Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel, killing over 1,000 Israelis and kidnapping hundreds more. 

Israel responded by declaring war on Hamas and since then some 20,000 people in Gaza have been killed by Israeli bombardment. 

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have also killed several people being held hostage by Hamas after they were "mistakenly identified as a threat".