Israel stages new attack in southern Lebanon

Israel launched the heaviest attack in more than two years against Palestinian guerrilla bases in southern Lebanon Tuesday, knocking out or badly damaging dozens of gun emplacements and military positions and killing at least 25 people.

It was the second strike into Lebanon in four days. On Friday, Israeli seaborne troops blew up a Palestinian jeep, killing one person and wounding four others near Sidon.

The strike was ordered by Prime Minister Menachem Begin in his capacity as defense minister, and was condemned by Egypt as a new obstacle to peace and by the US Embassy in Beirut.