Israel seizes 18 in Ramallah raid

Israeli has carried out raids in a number of West Bank cities

Israeli troops have arrested 18 people in a raid on the Palestinian military headquarters in Ramallah, Israeli and Palestinian officials have said.

The Israeli army said the men were all suspected of involvement in shooting attacks on Israeli citizens and had taken refuge in the building.

It was the latest in a number of raids in the West Bank in the last two weeks.

The Israelis say they are searching for militants. Palestinian officials accuse the Israelis of unprovoked aggression.

About 30 Israeli military vehicles surrounded the building before seizing the men and a number of weapons.

Among those arrested was Khalil Shilo, a member of the al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, a militia linked to the Fatah movement of President Mahmoud Abbas.

He had been wanted since the outbreak of the Palestinian uprising in 2000.

The BBC's Tim Franks in Jerusalem says it is common for members of the al-Aqsa Brigades to sleep in the security forces' building, which they considered a safe place.

The Israeli military said about 70 people were detained initially, but most were later released.