TEL AVIV, November 4 (RIA Novosti) - Israeli naval forces on Wednesday took control of a vessel bound for Syria, the Israel Defense Forces press service said.

It said the Antigua-flagged ship, intercepted not far from Cyprus during a routine patrol by the navy, was carrying arms intended for Hezbollah.

The boat was towed to the Israeli port of Ashdod.

All the ship's passengers will be handed over to Israeli immigration police for questioning, the military said.

According to Israeli media reports, the vessel was carrying some 50 tons of military equipment, including Katyusha rockets, antitank missiles, and explosives.