Israel's military chief: Will respond to Iran's attack

Jerusalem: Israel's military chief said Monday that Israel will respond to Iran's weekend missile strike, but did not immediately elaborate on when and how.

Lt Gen Herzi Halevi said that Israel is still considering its steps, but he said that the Iranian strike of missiles and attack drones “will be met with a response.”

Halevi spoke during a visit to the Nevatim air base, which Israel says suffered light damage in the Iranian attack.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been huddling with top officials to discuss a possible response to Iran's attack involving hundreds of drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles.

World leaders have been urging Israel not to retaliate. The Iranian attack on Saturday marked the first time Iran has launched a direct military as - sault on Israel, despite decades of enmity dating back to the country's 1979 Islamic Revolution.

The attack happened less than two weeks after a suspected Israeli strike in Syria that killed two Iranian generals in an Iranian consular building.

The Israeli military says that 99% of the drones and missiles launched by Iran were intercepted, with the help of other countries including the US, Britain and France.

Despite the reported interceptions, Iran has called the attack a success. (AP)