Israeli military vows response to Iran attack as calls for restraint mount

General gives clearest confirmation yet that Israel will hit back but it is unclear what form response will take

Israeli Iron Dome air defense system fires to intercept a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip, in Ashkelon, Israel. Picture: AP Photo/Tsafrir Abayov

Israelis awaited word on how prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu would respond to Iran's first-ever direct attack as international pressure for restraint grew amid fears of an escalation of the conflict in the Middle East.

Netanyahu on Monday summoned his war cabinet for the second time in less than 24 hours to weigh a response to Iran's weekend missile and drone attack, a government source said.