The Christmas tree is lit up at the Manger Square, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, on November 30, 2019. (Photo: Xinhua/ VNA)

Israel tightly restricts movements out of the Gaza Strip, a territory controlled by Hamas, an Islamic group that it considers a terrorist organization. Last year, Israel granted permits for close to 700 Gaza Christians to travel to Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nazareth, and other holy cities that draw thousands of pilgrims each holiday season.