BEIRUT Israeli warplanes killed at least 10 Palestinian fighters in a night-time attack on Lebanon's Syrian-controlled Bekaa Valley Wednesday, the deadliest Israeli raid on a Palestinian camp in years. Another 26 fighters with the Fatah-Intifada were injured during three air raids on the camp at Taanayel, 15 kilometers (nine miles) from the Syrian border, hospital sources said. A Palestinian official, who asked not to be identified, suggested the attack was aimed at putting pressure on Damascus, which is opposed to Israel's offer for a conditional withdrawal from South Lebanon, and to warn against using Palestinians in anti-Zionist operations in the South. But the Damascus-based Fatah-Intifada issued a statement in Beirut threatening to avenge its martyrs, who were the victims of barbaric raids.

The statement also accused Israel of using internationally banned weapons in the raid, the first this year against Palestinian groups with bases in Lebanon, where Syria is the main power broker. The Damascus-based Fatah-Intifada calls for the destruction of Israel and vehemently opposes the Israeli-Palestinian peace accords signed by Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. (AFP)