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  1. Video content

    Video caption: Bethlehem nativity scene depicted with rubble and razor wire

    A muted Christmas celebration sees worshippers lighting candles and praying for peace in Manger Square.

  2. Video content

    Video caption: Our friendship was not damaged: Israeli-Palestinian rap duo

    Uriyah and Sameh's rap about peace between Palestinians and Israelis went viral in 2021, since then a lot has changed.

  3. Red Sea users must protect it - Egypt

    BBC World Service

    Ships in Egypt.
    Image caption: It is a key shipping route for many nations inside and outside the Middle East

    Egypt says countries with access to the Red Sea have a responsibility to protect it and provide suitable conditions for freedom of navigation.

    On Tuesday, the US announced a 10-member coalition called Operation Prosperity to protect merchant shipping in the Red Sea from intensifying attacks by Houthi rebels based in Yemen.

    But Egypt and Saudi Arabia have not joined the US-led coalition.

    On Thursday, Greece said it would send a naval frigate there to protect shipping.

    Greek ship-owners control 20% of the world's commercial vessels in terms of capacity.