A group of Sussex University students visiting Palestine are in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The Middle East is a volatile region but the students could not have predicted they would find themselves in the middle of intense gun battles raging on the West Bank.

The students are from Sussex University's Palestine Solidarity Society and their experiences of dodging gun fire and being threatened by Israeli troops mean they are seeing the conflict at first hand.

The university has made it clear the visit is being made privately by the students and does not have its backing.

The Foreign Office is also now covering itself by advising against all travel to the West Bank area because of the serious clashes between Israelis and Palestinians.

All those who know them can now only wait and hope the ten students will return safely from the war zone.