Israel vows retaliation to Iran strikes as allies call for restraint

Israel’s military chief has declared a firm response to Iran’s extensive attack, which involved an assault with missiles and drones. This statement comes even amidst global calls for restraint from various leaders, worried about the potential for a broader regional conflict.

This recent escalation follows a protracted shadow war between Israel and Iran, along with its proxies like the militant group Hamas. The immediate cause was Iran’s retaliatory strike for an April 1 attack on its consulate in Damascus, which Israel is believed to have conducted. During this period, Iran’s proxies increased their attacks, aligning with the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

In a recent statement, Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi of the Israeli forces, spoke from the Nevatim airbase—one of the targets in Iran’s attacks. He confirmed the interception of the vast majority of the weaponry thanks to U.S. and allied support, which resulted in minimal damage.

Despite the attacks, global powers including the U.S. have urged Israel to avoid escalating the situation further. Discussions about response strategies continued into late Monday with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convening his war cabinet.

Conversely, Iran has indicated a willingness to cease further escalations provided Israel refrains from retaliation. Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian communicated this stance to his Chinese counterpart, hoping for restraint on all sides.

At the UN, the conversation has also intensified, with calls for peace and restraint echoing through diplomatic channels, highlighting the delicate balance Israel must maintain in responding to these attacks while managing international relations and ongoing internal security concerns.