Israel launches attack on Syrian border overnight - reports

An "Iron Dome" short-range missile defence system is pictured near the northern Israeli city of Haifa. Fearing that Syrian chemical weapons could fall into the hands of Islamist militants, Israel is taking diplomatic and military steps to prevent it, local media and a security source said. (AFP PHOTO / JACK GUEZ)

Israel has launched an attack on a target on the Syrian/Lebanese border overnight, following growing fears about the potential use of chemical weapons in Syria, Reuters reported on Wednesday.

A western diplomat, speaking to the news agency, confirmed that the attack had happened although would not give any further information. "There was definitely a hit in the border area," the source said.

The Lebanese army had previously reported a number of Israeli jets over its territory during the same night.

The attack comes after Israel threatened to intervene in Syria, if chemical weapons were used. The move by the Israeli army last night increased speculation that chemical weapons have fallen into the hands of rebels in Syria.

The Israeli military declined to comment on the report.