Jim Hollander / EPA
Three gas masks are displayed as Israelis collect gas mask kits from a distribution area in a mall in Pizgat Ze'ev, East Jerusalem, Jan. 30, 2013. Media reports that thousands of Israelis are renewing their gas masks amid reports of an Israeli air force strike on an arms convoy in Syria earlier today.
By Becky Bratu, Staff Writer, NBC News
Israeli forces conducted an airstrike on a convoy on the Syrian-Lebanese border Wednesday, unnamed U.S. and regional security officials told international news agencies.
Reuters reported the overnight attack came after Israelis warned Lebanon-based Hezbollah not to use the unrest in Syria to acquire anti-aircraft missiles or chemical weapons.
"The target was a truck loaded with weapons, heading from Syria to Lebanon," one Western diplomat told Reuters, adding that the convoy likely didn't include chemical weapons.
Officials in the region told The Associated Press the shipment included Russian-made SA-17 anti-aircraft missiles, which could pose a serious threat to the region's balance of power if they fall in the hands of Iranian-backed Hezbollah.
A U.S. official told the AP the airstrike hit a convoy of trucks. Syria television said that Israeli warplanes had actually attacked a research center in Damascus province. The Israeli government declined to comment on the attack. A Lebanese security official, however, denied any strike in Lebanon, according to Reuters.
Israel has also moved its Iron Dome defense system to the north of the country in recent days.
Officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.
A fighter for the opposition aiming to topple Syrian President Bashar Assad told Reuters an airstrike occurred around dawn about 3 miles south of the border. According to Reuters, Israeli violations of Lebanese airspace are not uncommon.
Top Israeli officials have expressed concern that Assad's regime could pass chemical weapons to Hezbollah, the AP reported. The airstrike on the weapon-laden convoy appears to fit Israel's pattern of attacks meant to curb Hezbollah and, according to Reuters, does not necessarily indicate an escalation of the conflict in Syria.
The attack, however, could be perceived as a diplomatic provocation, particularly by Iran -- Syria's ally and Israel's enemy -- which has said it would treat any Israeli attack on Syria as an attack on itself.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
Related:
Analysis: Israeli attack in Syria could trigger Iran reaction
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