Israel ‘will not launch all-out war against Iran’

•But army chief pledges response •Kingdom denies helping defense

Israel aims to punish Iran for its weekend attack but will not provoke an allout regional war, security sources said on Monday after a second meeting of the country’s war Cabinet in less than 24 hours.

“This launch of so many missiles, cruise missiles, and drones into the territory of the state of Israel will be met with a response,” army chief Herzi Halevi told troops at Nevatim military base in southern Israel, which was targeted in the Iranian strike.

There was only minor damage in Israel and no deaths after Iran struck late on Saturday with more than 300 missiles and drones. However, it emerged that most were shot down outside Israel by the US, Britain, France, and Jordan, leading some analysts to question whether Israel’s Iron Dome defense system alone could thwart an attack without help from allies.

Sources in Saudi Arabia denied rumors circulating in Israel that the Kingdom had taken part in the coalition to defend against the missile strikes.

There is growing international pressure on Israel to show restraint and avoid an escalation of conflict, and President Joe Biden has told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the US will not take part in any Israeli counteroffensive against Iran.

Iran’s attack has increased fears of open warfare and heightened concerns that violence will spread further in the region.

Since the start of the war in Gaza on Oct. 7, there have been clashes between Israel and Iran-backed groups in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Iraq. Four Israeli soldiers were injured in explosions early on Monday several hundred meters inside Lebanese territory. “We’re on the edge of the cliff and we have to move away from it,” EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said. “We have to step on the brakes and reverse gear.” French President Emmanuel

Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres all called for restraint. Russia has not criticized Iran in public over the strikes but expressed concern about the conflict spreading. “Further escalation is in no one’s interests,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said regional neighbors had been informed of the planned strikes 72 hours in advance.