Israel's War on Gaza Live: Israel pounds Rafah in overnight strikes

After Israel and Jordan reopened their airspaces, Iraq has moved to do so as well, according to Iraq's aviation authority.

The countries had closed their airspaces after Iran launched scores of missiles and drones targeting Israel.

A meeting of Israel's cabinet that was scheduled to take place on Sunday morning has been cancelled, according to Haaretz, after the cabinet met throughout Saturday night amid Iran's retaliatory attacks.

In case you are just tuning into Middle East Eye's live coverage, here is an overview of what has happened over the past several hours since Iran launched scores of drones and missiles at Israel in retaliation for the air strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus:

• Jordan and Israel have reopened their airspaces after closing them for hours due to Iran's retaliatory strikes on Israel.

• Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari confirmed that some of Iran's ballistic missiles penetrated the country's defences and hit the Nevatim Airbase in southern Israel.

• Netanyahu alleged Hamas rejected the latest proposal for a ceasefire agreement that was presented by mediators, and said he would press forward with the war on Gaza with "full force".

• Biden told Netanyahu that Washington will oppose any Israeli attack on Iran. A report from NBC News also said that Biden was worried Israel was trying to drag Washington into a wider regional war in the Middle East.

• Biden also publicly said he was going to convene leaders of the G7 countries to coordinate a "diplomatic response" to the attacks.

• Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, two of the most senior Biden officials, both said they do not seek conflict with Iran.

Israel's national security minister Itamar Ben Gvir posted on X that Israel's defence against Iran's retaliatory strikes on the country was "impressive" and called for the country to respond forcefully.

"Now we need a crushing attack," Ben Gvir said.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu alleged that Hamas rejected the latest proposal for a ceasefire agreement that was presented by mediators, and as a result Israel will continue to pursue its military objectives in Gaza.

"Israel will continue to strive to realise the objectives of the war with Hamas with full force," Netanyahu said.

Hamas said on Saturday that it will stick to its main demands for an agreement with Israel, which include: a permanent ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israel's army from the entire Gaza Strip, the return of displaced Palestinians to their homes, and an increase in humanitarian aid.

Israel's Airport Authority announced that the country's airspace has reopened after it was closed because of Iran's retaliatory attack on Israel.

The airspace was reopened as of 7:30am local time.

In public remarks early on Sunday, Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari confirmed that some of Iran's ballistic missiles penetrated the country's defences, and hit the Nevatim Airbase in southern Israel.

Footage posted online showed an Iranian missile hitting an area in the Negev Desert in southern Israel.

In a brief social media post in Hebrew, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu made a promise that Israel will "win", following Iran's strikes on the country.

"We intercepted. We blocked. Together we shall win," he said.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a statement saying that Washington condemns Iran's retaliatory strikes on Israel "in the strongest terms".

"While we do not seek escalation, we will continue to support Israel’s defense, and as the President made clear, we will defend US personnel," he added.

"I will be consulting with allies and partners in the region and around the world in the hours and days ahead."

US Congressman Adam Smith, ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, issued a statement following Iran's retaliatory strikes on Israel, in which he urged for deescalation.

"I urge calm and restraint during this incredibly tense and challenging time," Smith said.

"We need to reduce the risk of further escalation and work to ensure that this conflict does not spread."

A spokesperson for the Soroka Medical Center in southern Israel said that following the missile attack, 12 wounded people were evacuated to the hospital, according to Haaretz.

Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin said that the US is not seeking a wide conflict with Iran, after American military forces helped intercept dozens of Iranian drones and missiles launched against Israel.

“We do not seek conflict with Iran, but we will not hesitate to act to protect our forces and support the defense of Israel,” he said in a statement.

US President Joe Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Washington will oppose any Israeli attack on Iran, Axios reported citing a senior White House official.

The White House official told Axios that Biden told Netanyahu the joint military efforts by Israel, the US and other regional countries led to a "failure of the Iranian attack".

"You got a win. Take the win," Biden told Netanyahu.

The official added that when Biden said Washington wouldn't take part in or support any offensive operations against Iran, Netanyahu said he understood.

NBC News reported that several senior US officials are concerned Israel could respond to Iran's retaliatory attacks without thinking through the potential consequences.

That report stated that Biden privately expressed concern that Netanyahu is trying to drag the US into a broader conflict in the Middle East.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke to his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant, and asked Gallant to provide advanced notice if Israel chooses to strike Iran.

Venezuela’s foreign minister said in a statement that the country was following the “worrying events” in the Middle East

“As a result of the genocide in Palestine and the irrationality of the Israeli regime as well as the inaction of the United Nations, the situation of instability in the region has worsened dramatically in recent weeks,” Yvan Gil's statement said.

“Peace will only be guaranteed once justice and international law are re-established, mainly with regard to the Palestinian people and state.”