ISRAELI Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected close allies’ calls for restraint in the wake of last weekend’s failed missile and drone attack by Iran, insisting that his country would be the one to decide whether and how to respond.

Israel has vowed to hit back, but without saying when or how, leaving the region bracing for further escalation after months of unrest linked to the ongoing violence in the Gaza Strip.

Speaking at a cabinet meeting, Mr Netanyahu said that he had had meetings on Wednesday with visiting British Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and had thanked them for their countries’ support.