Bethlehem is in Area A of the West Bank and under the civil and security control of the Palestinian Authority. Israeli law prohibits Israelis from entering the sector.
A Jewish-Israeli woman and her young daughter were rescued from downtown Bethlehem overnight by Civil Administration officers, Israeli media reported on Wednesday morning.
Bethlehem is in Area A of the West Bank and under the civil and security control of the Palestinian Authority. Israeli law prohibits Israelis from entering the sector, warning that doing so poses a serious, life-threatening risk.
Following their initial rescue, after having entered the city intentionally, the Israelis were transferred to IDF troops, Israeli media noted. The case was subsequently handed off to the police for further processing.
Recent incidents where Israeli forces have rescued civilians from Area A
This latest rescue comes amid a string of similar incidents from the past days.
On Tuesday, the IDF said troops rushed to two locations in the West Bank to rescue Israelis who entered Area A by mistake.
Bethlehem has begun to see a return of international tourism after a two-year void due to the war in Gaza, reviving hopes for the recovery of the tourism sector and restoring the Christmas spirit that the city has been missing. December 01, 2025. (credit: WISAM HASHLAMOUN/FLASH90)
In the incidents, the military recovered three civilians; one from the Arab town of Ni’lin and two others from Husan.
On Sunday, security sources told Walla that the number of Israelis entering Area A of the West Bank was rising at a time when Hamas incitement is heightening the risk of violent incidents such as lynching or murder.
Further, Israelis entering Area A could also lead to inflamed tensions in the area, the sources warned.