[size=4]Gun battles rage in Arafat's compound[/size=4]

Gun battles are taking place in Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat's headquarters compound in Ramallah, Israel Radio reported.

IDF troops have reportedly captured seven buildings in the Mukata compound and firing was reported in the building housing Arafat's office. Arafat has reportedly taken shelter in a bunker on a lower floor of the building.

Palestinian sources said IDF tanks had fired several shells into the compound.

The radio reported that IDF bulldozers and tank fire are tearing down the walls around the Mukata, with the apparent aim of taking control of the entire compound.

Soldiers were reported engaging in room-to-room searches in Arafat's building looking for illegal weapons. Numerous arms have been seized, including rocket propelled grenade launchers which are banned under the Oslo Accords.

[b]Palestinian television reported that troops have captured the PA jail in which were imprisoned the murderers of tourism minister Rehavam Ze'evi, as well as the buildings housing PA Intelligence and General Security Service.[/b]

Some 60 tanks are said to be involved in the operation at the Mukata.

Palestinian TV broadcast footage of Arafat speaking by phone from his bunker to Arab leaders, among them Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, asking them to use their influence to expel the IDF from Ramallah.

Palestinian sources report five Palestinians killed and 50 wounded, among them 20 members of Arafat's elite Force 17 guard, four of them seriously.

See article:[url]http://www.jpost.com/Editions/2002/03/29/LatestNews/LatestNews.46055.html[/url]

Eric The(CapturedPrision?AllRight)Hun[>]:)]