Israel's War Cabinet to Meet Again to Consider Retaliation Against Iran

Israel's war cabinet is set to reconvene as it decides on how to react to Iran's missile and drone attack on its territory.

The three-member war cabinet, comprising Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Benny Gantz, a former defense minister and Netanyahu's centrist rival, along with several observers, is scheduled to meet on Monday at 2 pm local time (1200 BST). 

This meeting follows their previous session, which was held late on Sunday.

Statements from Gallant and Gantz on Sunday afternoon, following the interception of over 300 missiles and drones launched directly from Iranian territory for the first time, indicated that an immediate Israeli retaliation against Tehran was not currently under consideration.

The prime minister, however, is yet to declare a formal decision, and the rest of the world remains on high alert for potential escalation triggered by the six-month war in Gaza.

CNN, citing an unnamed Israeli official, said Israel would respond to Iran's attack but the scope of this had yet to be decided.

R Adm Daniel Hagari, Israel's chief military spokesperson, made it clear that Israel was keeping its options open. "Over the last few hours we approved operational plans for both offensive and defensive action," he told reporters on Sunday.

On Monday, global leaders reiterated their plea for restraint and de-escalation while acknowledging the anticipation of an Israeli response. 

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell cautioned during an interview with the Spanish radio station Onda Cero that the Middle East teeters "on the edge of the cliff," stressing "we have to step on the brakes and reverse gear."