Gaza's Christians could not celebrate or experience any joy on Christmas for the second consecutive year as Israel continues its brutal war in the enclave. Christians, like other people in the Gaza Strip, are also deprived of access to basic necessities.

Faith leaders and residents in Bethlehem are grappling with how to mark the festive holiday while fellow Palestinians continue to be killed.

Israel and Hamas on Wednesday accused each other of obstructing negotiations for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, after Israel withdrew its negotiators from the talks the previous day. Israeli media reported on Wednesday that the refusal by the Palestinian Islamist militia Hamas to hand over a list of the names of the hostages it still holds is hindering progress in the negotiations.

Israel and Hamas have accused each other of complicating ceasefire efforts, as they inch closer to a deal that could wind down the 14-month war in Gaza