Washington — Michel HerzogIsrael’s ambassador to the United States said Sunday that he believed the “success of our operation yesterday prevented an escalation into a major war” after Israel and Hezbollah were involved. launching an activist group Heavy gunfire threatens to spark a wider 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 in retaliation for the Israeli military’s attack on southern Lebanon. assassination Hezbollah said that last month, Hezbollah killed a senior military commander, Fuad Shukur. Hezbollah said three of its fighters were killed. Israel, meanwhile, said one of its fighters was killed in combat in northern Israel, and two other soldiers were “lightly and moderately wounded.”
The exchange of fire, which came after months of smaller strikes, appeared to have ended mid-morning Sunday.
“The threat is still there,” Herzog said Sunday on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan,” stressing that Israel still needs a deal with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
“We are giving diplomacy a chance and we hope it will work,” the ambassador said.
Herzog said he believed a direct Iranian attack on Israel could be avoided, saying an Iranian attack appeared to have been put on hold for the time being.
“I think the main reason for that is the deterrence messages from Israel and the United States, and a very strong American posture in the region, which tells you that you can deter them,” Herzog added.
The United States did not participate in the attack on Hezbollah, although senior American officials were in contact with their Israeli counterparts. Gen. CQ Brown, the top U.S. military officer, is already in the Middle East and met with his Egyptian counterparts in Cairo on Sunday. He is expected to arrive in Israel later in the day.
Multiple sources in the region told CBS that the United States, Qatar, Israel and all relevant actors are now sending a message to Hezbollah and Iran to de-escalate the situation. Three sources told CBS that the Qatari prime minister is still scheduled to travel to Tehran on Monday to brief Iranian leaders on ongoing diplomacy regarding Gaza and to deter any potential Iranian attack on Israel.
Herzog said part of Brown’s visit was to “make sure everything is under control,” noting that “the American posture in the region is very strong” and has played a role in deterring Iran.
“We are not looking for war and we don’t believe they are,” Herzog added. “But there is a margin of error.”
U.S. officials have grown increasingly concerned about rising tensions in the region in recent weeks, despite efforts by the Biden administration to prevent a broader regional war since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7. While hostage and ceasefire talks are ongoing in Cairo, expectations are low for an immediate ceasefire.
“We had constructive discussions in Egypt a few days ago,” Herzog said. “We are working in good coordination with the American administration and we are waiting for Hamas to see if it is in on this.”
Margaret Brennan contributed to this report.
