The violent clashes that have characterized the last two weeks had appeared to be waning in recent days. But when Israeli reservist soldiers made a wrong turn yesterday and ended up near the center of the West Bank town of Ramallah--a hotspot of fighting between Israeli troops and Palestinian rioters--violence erupted again with unprecedented force.

The soldiers, traveling in a civilian car, were chased by Palestinians and sought shelter in the Ramallah police station.

When word of their presence spread, more than 1,000 Palestinians surged toward the building. Palestinian forces tried to keep the mob at bay, but about 10 men broke through a second-floor window where the Israelis were held.

The body of one Israeli soldier was thrown into the street, and a second was dangled down by a rope, where the corpse was stomped and beaten with iron bars.

From the window, Palestinians shook their fists and made "V" signs with their arms for victory. When the attackers emerged with blood-covered hands, the crowd roared with approval.

There has been continued confusion about the number of Israeli soldiers killed. While the army said two bodies were handed over to Israel, Barak later told CNN that three soldiers were "lynched and mutilated."

Up until yesterday, only one Israeli soldier had been killed in the recent violence.