The Siege of the Church of the Nativity occurred from 2 April to 10 May 2002 when the Israel Defense Forces besieged 39 Palestinian militants who had taken shelter in the church amid the Second Intifada.
As part of Operation Defensive Shield, the IDF Paratroopers Brigade raided Bethlehem several times before the Jerusalem Brigade was dispatched to secure the city. The Shaldag Unit was dispatched to block entry to the Church of the Nativity, where wanted persons had previously found shelter. Israeli troops were airlifted into the city and met disorganized Palestinian resistance; however, as the force had landed half an hour too late, dozens of Palestinian militants were able to flee into the Church of the Nativity. 200 Franciscan friars and Palestinian refugees voluntarily remained inside the church. Tanzim commander Abdullah Abu-Hadid planned to create international pressure on Israel by occupying one of Christianity's holiest sites, and the militants enjoyed an abundance of oil, beans, rice, and olives supposed to feed 50 monks for two years, good bathrooms, the largest wells in old Bethlehem, candles, and the church's vegetable garden. On 3 April, the IDF deployed tanks near Manger Square, while snipers took up positions on the surrounding buildings. The bellringer of the church was shot dead by an Israeli sniper, while, on 5 April, 4 Franciscan monks were escorted out of the church by IDF soldiers. On 7 April, the Vatican City warned Israel to respect religious sites in line with its international obligations, and spokespeople for Catholic monks in the Holy Land accused Israel of an "indescribable act of barbarity." On 8 April, the facade of the church was damaged during a major gun battle. An Armenian monk wearing civilian clothing was wounded on 10 April. Over the course of a month, occasional exchanges of gunfire broke out, and, on 23 April, negotiations to end the siege began in the Peace Center. On 30 April, Israel agreed to let 30 people exit the church and go into exile. On 1 May, 26 people came out of the church, and, on 2 May, ten international activists entered the church and declared their intention to remain until the IDF lifted the siege. On 9 May, it was agreed that 26 militants were to go to the Gaza Strip, 85 civilians were released, and 13 most wanted militants were moved to Italy and Spain.