Draft:Battle of Bethlehem

Battle of Bethlehem
Part of the Six-Day War
Date June 5–7, 1967 Location Bethlehem, West Bank Result Israeli victory
Belligerents
Israel	Jordan
Commanders and leaders
Unknown	Unknown
Units involved
Israeli Armored and Infantry units	Jordanian Arab Legion
Strength
Infantry and armored units	Entrenched Jordanian forces
Casualties and losses
Light	Unknown

The Battle of Bethlehem took place between June 5 and June 7, 1967, as part of the broader conflict in the West Bank during the Six-Day War. The city, historically significant as the traditional birthplace of Jesus and situated just south of Jerusalem, was under Jordanian control prior to the war. As Israeli forces advanced through the West Bank, they sought to capture key Jordanian strongholds, including Bethlehem.

Background

Since the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, Bethlehem had been under Jordanian rule as part of the West Bank. The city was strategically located on the road to Hebron and Jerusalem, making it a vital target in the Israeli plan to secure the West Bank during the Six-Day War. Tensions had been escalating between Israel and its neighboring Arab states, and on June 5, 1967, war erupted.

Israeli forces aimed to secure territory in the West Bank, and the capture of Bethlehem was part of a larger strategy to neutralize Jordanian military presence in the region.

The Battle

On June 6, 1967, Israeli forces, comprising infantry and armored units, launched their assault on Bethlehem after advancing from positions in southern Jerusalem. The Jordanian Arab Legion had fortified several key locations in the city and the surrounding area. Jordanian forces attempted to hold off the Israeli advance with entrenched positions and artillery, but Israeli armor and infantry pressed forward with a swift offensive.

The terrain around Bethlehem, including its narrow streets and hilly surroundings, made the fighting particularly difficult, but Israeli forces managed to outflank Jordanian defenses. After a few hours of intense fighting, Israeli forces pushed Jordanian troops out of the city and continued their advance southward toward Hebron.

Capture of Bethlehem

By June 7, 1967, Israeli forces had fully secured Bethlehem, encountering only light resistance as the Jordanian forces withdrew. The Israeli army entered the city center, including Manger Square, home to the Church of the Nativity, one of Christianity's holiest sites. Israeli military command issued orders to respect religious and historical sites, and no damage was reported to the church.

The capture of Bethlehem, along with other key towns in the West Bank, helped solidify Israeli control of the territory and marked the collapse of Jordanian resistance in the region.

Aftermath

Following the Israeli victory in Bethlehem, the city remained under Israeli military occupation. Like the rest of the West Bank, Bethlehem’s capture in the Six-Day War significantly altered the political and demographic landscape of the region. Israeli forces continued south toward Hebron, completing their campaign in the West Bank.

The annexation of East Jerusalem and the occupation of the West Bank, including Bethlehem, became a major point of contention in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Although Israel did not formally annex Bethlehem, the city's status has