Overview

• At his Sept. 17 general audience, the pope urged a ceasefire, the release of hostages, a negotiated solution, and full respect for international humanitarian law.
• He voiced solidarity with Palestinians living in fear under what he called unacceptable conditions and appealed for a dawn of peace and justice.
• Israeli forces launched a major ground assault on Gaza City on Sept. 16, with residents describing the heaviest bombardment in nearly two years of war and widespread flight from homes.
• The Holy Family Church in Gaza reports about 450 people on its grounds and says it will not evacuate, with nuns and clergy caring for dozens with special needs.
• Displacement estimates vary, with Hamas citing hundreds of thousands fleeing parts of the city and other tallies from Israeli and U.N. sources indicating large but differing totals.