Russia called on Saturday all sides to avoid escalation after Israel launched heavy air strikes on Syria following Damascus’ downing of an Israeli fighter jet. "We urge all sides to exercise restraint and to avoid any actions that could lead to an even greater complication of the situation," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. "It is necessary to unconditionally respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria and other countries in the region." “It is absolutely unacceptable to create threats to the lives and security of Russian servicemen who are in Syria,” it added. According to the Israeli military, the Saturday’s confrontation began with an Iranian drone entering its airspace before being intercepted by a combat helicopter. Israeli military spokesman Jonathan Conricus said it was intercepted well inside Israeli territory over the city of Beit Shean. He did not say whether the drone was armed or for reconnaissance, but alleged it "was on a military mission sent by Iranian military forces" from an "Iranian base" in the Palmyra area. Eight Israeli aircraft then "targeted the Iranian control systems in Syria that sent the UAV" and confirmed hits, according to Conricus. The aircraft met "massive Syrian anti-air fire," Conricus said, and the F16 crashed afterwards in the Jezreel valley in northern Israel. The Syrian regime forces later claimed to have brought down the Israeli jet. Later on Saturday, Lebanon said that it was protesting Israels use of its airspace to target Syria, saying it will complain to the United Nations Security Council. The Foreign Ministry condemned in a statement Israel’s "aggressive policy" that threatens stability in the region. Meanwhile, Lebanons National News Agency reported that a missile fired by the Syrian regime air defense has landed in a lemon grove in a village in southwestern Lebanon.