Eyewitness: Fighting intensifies in Ramallah

Israeli troops entered security headquarters in Ramallah

By Barbara Plett BBC correspondent in Ramallah

Heavy gun battles have been raging between Israeli forces and Palestinian gunmen in the West Bank town of Ramallah.

There have been rounds of gunfire from soldiers who have taken up positions by my hotel, where all the journalists are staying.

They are pointing guns at the hotel and down the street, but they are searching the building across the street which is a two-storey building that houses offices.

They [Israeli troops]have shot at some press vehicles and hit them

Just a few minutes ago they blew open the door with explosive charges.

Now they seem to be fanning out over the area, from what I can see by peering out of my window very carefully.

The soldiers have been searching private houses and public buildings for Palestinian militiamen.

This is the fifth day of the operation in Ramallah.

They are also preventing journalists from entering conflict zones.

They have shot at some press vehicles and hit them, and they have expelled at least one television crew from Ramallah.

The latest major military operation is an attack on the Preventive Security headquarters, which is just a few kilometres from here.

The army has attacked it with tanks and Apache helicopters.

From time to time we can see the helicopters hovering over the area.