Jaranwala (Pakistan) (AFP) – Christians in eastern Pakistan take part in prayer services on Christmas Day for the first time since a Muslim mob rampaged through their neighbourhood in August.
Gaza City (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) – Images of Gaza City’s Tal al-Hawa area after Israeli forces left the area. Israel said on Monday that it was “intensifying the fighting” against Hamas in Gaza, where relentless strikes across the Palestinian territory exacerbated the dire conditions for civilians in the war’s 12th week.
Bethlehem (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) – An artwork showing rubble and barbed wire, a statue of a child in an incubator as well as banners reading “We want life, not death” are displayed in the forecourt of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. The traditional midnight mass in Bethlehem is held in solidarity with the Gaza Strip, where clashes between Israel and Hamas continue.
Vatican City (AFP) – In his annual Christmas Day “Urbi and Orbi” message at the Vatican, Pope Francis calls for an end to war, “an aimless voyage, a defeat without victors, an inexcusable folly,” as the conflicts in the Gaza Strip and Ukraine show no signs of abating.
Lviv (Ukraine) (AFP) – Ukrainians enjoy a Christmas Eve procession in the western city of Lviv. For the first time, Ukraine is officially celebrating Christmas Day on December 25 after the government changed the date from January 7, when most Orthodox believers celebrate, as a snub to Russia. “I’m actually very happy that we are finally celebrating Christmas Eve and Christmas together with the rest of the world. It’s really cool,” says traditional band member Tetyana.
Vatican City (AFP) – Pope Francis holds a Christmas Eve mass at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City as wars cast a shadow over one of the world’s favourite holidays. He struck a sombre tone during the mass, saying: “Tonight, our hearts are in Bethlehem, where the Prince of Peace is once more rejected by the futile logic of war, by the clash of arms that even today prevents him from finding room in the world.”
Rafah (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) – Palestinians wait for food with containers on a street in the southern Gazan city of Rafah. UN figures show that 1.9 million out of a population of 2.4 million Gazans have been displaced since October 7. Many have been forced into crowded shelters or tents, struggling to find food, fuel, water and medical care. “We’re fed up; this is not a life. I swear such a war has never happened before. Now there is real hunger. My children are dying of hunger,” says Nour Ismail.
Bethlehem (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) – “We have to stop what is going on in Gaza,” says the Holy Land’s top Catholic authority, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa, on a visit to Bethlehem on Christmas Eve. Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza in response to a Hamas attack on October 7 which killed around 1,140 people, mostly civilians. Israel’s retaliation has killed more than 20,200 people, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory.
Tel Aviv (AFP) – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel “will fight until the end”, vowing to “restore the security in both the north and the south”, during his remarks at the beginning of his weekly cabinet meeting. Since Israel’s ground assault began, the military has lost 153 soldiers in the Palestinian territory, including 10 on December 23, making it one of the deadliest days for the army. Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza in response to a Hamas attack on October 7 which killed around 1, 140 people, mostly civilians. Israel’s retaliation has killed more than 20,200 people, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory.
Téreny (Hungary) (AFP) – Following a family tradition going back five generations, Jozsefne Szedlak, or as everyone calls her, ‘Aunty Ilonka’, leaves her home for the nearby bell tower at least twice a day. As one of the few remaining bell ringers in Hungary, it is her duty to toll the bells at the Catholic church in Tereny, a village north of Budapest.
