Israeli forces have raided the West Bank city where Palestinian President Mr Yasser Arafat is based and searched the nearby offices of a leading Arabic-language satellite news service.
Al Jazeera television showed live footage of Israelisoldiers arguing with staff in its offices at el-Bireh town, on the outskirts of Ramallah city, where troops fired teargas to disperse stone-throwers.
An Israeli military spokesman confirmed an operation wasunder way in the area of Ramallah, the hub of Palestinian life in the West Bank and a base for Mr Arafat and his government.
The spokesman decline to provide further details.
El-Bireh residents, used to Israeli incursions against athree-year-old Palestinian uprising for independence in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, rushed homeward after a curfew was imposed.
Tensions in Ramallah and its environs have run especially high since Israel's security cabinet decided in principle last month to "remove" the Palestinian leader for fomenting violence.
Mr Arafat denies blocking the US-backed peace "road map".