WASHINGTON (AP) - Israeli officials have confirmed the country's airforce carried out a strike against Syria and say it targeted a shipment of advanced missiles.

The officials said the shipment was not of chemical arms, but of "game changing" weapons bound for the Lebanese militant Hezbollah group.

They say the airstrike was early on Friday. They did not say where it took place.

They spoke on Saturday on condition of anonymity because they were discussing a secret military issue.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly warned in recent weeks that Israel would be prepared to take military action if chemical weapons or other arms were to reach Hezbollah.

In January, an Israeli airstrike hit a convoy believed to be carrying advanced anti-aircraft weapons to Hezbollah.