¡¡¡¡JERUSALEM, Oct. 5 (Xinhuanet) -- Israeli army on Sunday attacked a Palestinian camp in Syria in retaliation for a suicide bombing attack in Haifa which killed 19 people, the army said.

¡¡¡¡"Following the attack, the army has started operating against those behind the attack, those who support (terror) and those who use the strategy of terror," said an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) statement.

¡¡¡¡"The Islamic Jihad, like other terror organizations, enjoys the support and backing of countries in the region -- foremost Iran andSyria," the statement said.

¡¡¡¡"Syria is a country that sponsors terror and constantly tries tosabotage any attempt to achieve quiet and stability in the region,"it added.

¡¡¡¡But the statement declined to say whether air or ground forces carried out the attack, which was believed to be the first of its kind since 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon when Israeli forces struck targets deep inside Syrian territory.

¡¡¡¡A suicide bombing attack occurred in Israel's northern coastal city of Haifa on Saturday afternoon, Killing at least 19 people andwounding 51 others.

¡¡¡¡After the blast, Israeli air force helicopters attacked two targets in the Gaza Strip overnight and IDF troops Sunday morning demolished the home of the young Palestinian female who carried outthe bombing attack in Haifa. Enditem