During the Second Palestinian Intifada, in 2000-2005, Bethlehem's infrastructure and tourism industry were severely damaged. In 2002, it was a primary combat zone in Operation Defensive Shield, a major military offensive by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).
During the operation, the IDF besieged the Church of the Nativity, where about 200 Palestinian militants sought refuge in the Church. The siege lasted for 39 days and nine militants and the church's bell ringer were killed. It ended with an agreement to exile 13 of the wanted militants to various European nations and Mauritania
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