Two IDF soldiers were lightly wounded in gunfire exchanges near the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. They were evacuated to Jerusalem's Hadassah-En Kerem Hospital. Sources in Bethlehem reported that the IDF has occupied the Palace Hotel at the outskirts of the Church of the Nativity compound. The Palestinians also reported that the IDF has entered the village of Ubaydiyah east of Bethlehem and is conducting searches and arrests there.