Christmas in Bethlehem
Thousands of tourists and Palestinians have begun Christmas Eve celebrations in Jesus' birthplace of Bethlehem.
The celebrations at Manger Square are expected to last all night long. The highlight is Midnight Mass at the Church of the Nativity.
Boy scout bands marched through town as a choir sang Christmas carols in various languages.
The biblical West Bank town is surrounded on three sides by Israel's separation barrier. Palestinians say it has choked off much of local trade. This year's celebrations, however, are expected to draw many more tourists than in recent years.