Scores of Palestinians carrying Kalashnikov rifles ran out of the shattered remains of Yasser Arafat's West Bank offices today, just hours after Israel troops ended their 10-day siege of the building.
At least 60 people poured out of the building, ran through a hole in the barbed wire fence and into the destroyed remains of another building, which was once connected to the Palestinian leader's offices by a bridge before being blown up by Israeli troops.
A small number of Israeli troops watched from a distance of some 10 yards as the dishevelled and unshaven men waded through the rubble to find their belongings.
At least two ambulances were on standby to treat the sick and the wounded, but initially no one was seen approaching them.
All the Israeli armour deployed around Arafat's compound left the wrecked headquarters complex by 1 p.m.
Although troops pulled back, a number of army roadblocks remained in place around the area to ensure some 40 wanted men in the building did not escape.
The withdrawal came in the wake of increasing international pressure from world leaders, notably Israel's main ally the United States, to end the siege around the Palestinian leader's compound.
AFP