The October 7, 2023, Hamas attack disrupted life for Christians in the Holy Land, many of whom worked in tourism or had permits to work in Israel. Bethlehem is in the West Bank, under Palestinian Authority control, not part of Israel.
Israel closed access to the West Bank, halting job opportunities. The tourism industry collapsed, leaving 90% of Christians in Bethlehem unemployed. They are caught in the violence between Israeli forces and Hamas.
While charities try to help, food distribution is controlled by the Palestinian Authority, and Christian families often receive little aid, leaving many near starvation.
