It would also be good clarify the legality of sanctuary from the Catholic church's perspective.

The ecclesiastical right of sanctuary is NOT considered a right any longer by the Roman Catholic church.

The most recent cases of Catholic sanctuary have been in relation to Central American refugees, under threat of being sent back by the US Immigration authorities, being taken into Catholic and Protestant churches, to keep them from being deported. That movement, along with the Latin American Liberation Theology movement which spawned it, was denounced by the Holy See, and the LT movement destroyed in a well orchestrated campaign by the Roman bishops and the pope.

I would not expect that there is an actual claim by the Catholic clergy inside the Church of the Nativity being made to provide the right of sanctuary to the Palestinians currently being held hostage there by the situation. The Italian journalist inside the church confirmed yesterday that there were also Palestinian civilians inside, and that those Palestinians who are armed, were also out of ammunition, rendering the entire group unarmed at this point. To be truly armed, I'm pretty sure you need ammo. ;-)

As to the nuns administering first aid to the wounded, why would this be shocking to anyone, even if they are terrorists? If someone is wounded and bleeding all over the place, I'd like to think any human being would try and help them, ESPECIALLY NUNS!