Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. says he believes strikes "prevented an escalation to a major war" in Middle East

Washington — Michael Herzog, the Israeli ambassador to the U.S., said Sunday that he believes the "success of our operation yesterday prevented an escalation to a major war," after Israel and the Hezbollah militant group launched heavy exchanges of fire, which threatens to trigger a broader regional war. 

The Israel Defense Forces carried out a preemptive strike in southern Lebanon overnight, which it said prevented a larger attack. Then, the Hezbollah military group said it fired more than 300 missiles and drones into Israeli territory, where Israeli missile defenses intercepted rockets over Northern Israel. The strikes were made in retaliation for the assassination of a senior military commander, Fouad Shukur, last month, Hezbollah said. Hezbollah said that three of its fighters were killed. Israel, meanwhile, said one of its fighters was killed during combat in Northern Israel, and two other soldiers were "lightly and moderately injured."

The exchange of fire, which came after months of smaller strikes, appeared to have ended by mid-morning on Sunday.