Israel’s war cabinet has met to discuss its response to Iran’s unprecedented drone and missile attack.
Israel did not make public whether a decision had been reached.
Its allies have strongly condemned Iran’s actions, but urged Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to show restraint.
While Iran has signalled it considers the matter closed, the Israeli military’s chief of staff said the attack would not go unanswered.
“Look, as we look forward, we weigh our steps, and this launch of so many missiles, cruise missiles, UAVs to the territory of the State of Israel will be met with a response,” Lt Gen Herzi Halevi said.
He did not specify a course of action, or give a timescale.
Analysts say Israel might decide to carry out a limited attack, such as a major cyberattack, or a strike on infrastructure with a low risk of casualties, calculated not to provoke a military response by Iran but to send a clear signal – or something far more extensive.
Lt Gen Halevi was speaking from Nevatim air base in southern Israel, which sustained damage in Saturday’s overnight attack but was said by Israel to be “still functioning”.
The Israeli military said more than 300 drones and missiles were launched at Israel. It said almost all were brought down by its forces, with support from the US, UK, France and other countries, before reaching their targets. No deaths were reported and Israel said the damage was limited.
World leaders have urged restraint amid concerns about a major escalation in tensions in the Middle East.
President Joe Biden spoke to PM Netanyahu following the launch of the Iranian attack and reaffirmed “America’s ironclad commitment to the security of Israel”.
But on April 14 the US told Israel it would not join in any counter-strike on Iran, according to a senior White House official.
“We’re committed to a ceasefire that will bring the hostages home and prevent the conflict spreading more than it already has,” President Biden said on April 15, referring to the 130 hostages still in Gaza who were abducted from Israel on October 7, and Israel’s subsequent military operation which has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians.
Almost all weapons were shot down by Israeli, US and allied forces before they reached their targets.
White House officials said President Joe Biden urged Israel to consider its response “carefully”.
Speaking to reporters on April 14, a senior administration official said that President Biden told Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu to “think very carefully and strategically” about how his forces replied to the unprecedented action, the first direct attack by Iran on the country.
The official added that the Biden administration believes Israel “got the best of it” in the exchange, which began when senior Iranian military commanders were killed at an Iranian consular building in Syria.
Image source: President Biden/X
About 99% of the missiles, drones and cruise missiles launched during Iran’s retaliatory operation were shot down or intercepted – which US officials point to as a sign of Israeli military superiority over Iran.
A conversation took place between President Biden and PM Netanyahu at a time “of heightened emotion” just after the attack, which included about 100 ballistic missiles simultaneously flying towards Israel.
During the call, the two leaders had a discussion “about how to slow things down and think through things”, with President Biden emphasizing that Israel has “gotten the best of it”.
The official declined to say, however, whether the White House warned against a significant response, saying only that “it is a calculation the Israelis have to make”.
In a string of television appearances on US networks earlier in the day, national security spokesman John Kirby repeatedly said that the US had made it clear to Israel that it seeks to avoid a wider conflict.
The senior administration said that the same message has been sent to Iran through diplomatic channels.
President Joe Biden has praised American forces who he said “helped Israel take down nearly all” drones and missiles launched by Iran on April 13.
In a statement, he said the US had moved aircraft and warships to the region before the unprecedented attack.
“I condemn these attacks in the strongest possible terms,” the president added.
Israel said Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles in its direction, the first time it has attacked Israel directly from its own territory.
It said the “vast majority” were intercepted, but there were a small number of hits including at an IDF base in southern Israel. At least one person, reported to be a young girl, was injured.
Iran earlier warned that Israel would be “punished” for a strike on its consulate in Syria on April 1, which killed seven Iranian officers including a top commander. Israel has not confirmed or denied whether it was responsible.
“I’ve just spoken with Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu to reaffirm America’s ironclad commitment to the security of Israel,” President Biden said shortly after the pair held a call.
“I told him that Israel demonstrated a remarkable capacity to defend against and defeat even unprecedented attacks,” he added.
Image source: President Biden/X
Joe Biden also said he plans to convene G7 leaders on April 14 “to co-ordinate a united diplomatic response to Iran’s brazen attack”.
He warned Iran against attacking any US assets, adding while Iran has not done so, America “remains vigilant to all threats”.
Joe Biden cut short a planned visit to his home state of Delaware on April 13, travelling back to the White House to be briefed by national security officials hours before the attack.
White House National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said President Biden was “in constant communication with Israeli officials, as well as other partners and allies”.
Republicans in the House of Representatives, meanwhile, said they were drafting legislation to provide more aid to Israel and sanction Iran.
Iran’s delegation at the UN said Tehran earlier said “the matter can be deemed concluded” but warned it would strike again if there were reprisals by Israel or the US.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard also said in a statement that “support or participation in attacking Iran’s interests will have a fierce response”.
Other nations, including the UK, France and Canada, have also condemned Iran and expressed support for Israel.
Iran has launched hundreds of drones and missiles at Israel in a retaliatory attack, the Iranian military says.
Sirens and loud explosions are heard as Israel’s air defences intercept objects from the sky. As air raid sirens ring out, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have told Israeli civilians that they may hear blasts.
“The Aerial Defense Array is fully operational and is intercepting threats wherever required, even at this very moment,” it said.
“At this time, numerous planes are in the air, ready to counter any threat. You may hear explosions from interceptions or debris falling.”
Sirens were activated in Jerusalem at around 01:45 local time.
Loud explosions were heard with the air defence systems shooting down objects over the city.
The multiple interceptions lit up the night sky here.
The US has shot down some Iranian drones that were headed towards Israel, military officials say.
Iran had warned that Israel would be “punished” for a strike on its consulate in Syria on April 1.
Seven Revolutionary Guards, including two generals, and six Syrians were killed in the Damascus attack.
Israel has acknowledged carrying out hundreds of strikes in recent years on targets in Syria that it says are linked to Iran but has not claimed the Damascus strike.
President Joe Biden has promised what he called “ironclad” support for Israel, saying the US will “do all we can to protect Israel’s security”.
Iran had avoided direct confrontation with Israel during the Israel-Hamas conflict, but the Damascus attack was seen as a serious escalation.
RAF Typhoon jets have been flying over areas of Iraq and Syria tonight and have been authorised to target any Iranian drones and missiles flying within range.
Iran is now citing Article 51 of the UN Charter for its attack.
It says “the matter can be deemed concluded” – suggesting it will not launch further strikes. However, it has warned against any retaliation or any involvement by the United States.
“Conducted on the strength of Article 51 of the UN Charter pertaining to legitimate defense, Iran’s military action was in response to the Zionist regime’s aggression against our diplomatic premises in Damascus,” its permanent mission at the United Nations said on Twitter/X.
“The matter can be deemed concluded. However, should the Israeli regime make another mistake, Iran’s response will be considerably more severe. It is a conflict between Iran and the rogue Israeli regime, from which the U.S. MUST STAY AWAY!”
Article 51 of the UN Charter says that member states have “the inherent right of individual or collective self-defense if an armed attack occurs”.
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