Israel-Gaza updates: 22, including 18 children, reported dead in Rafah strikes

A senior Israeli Air Force official said that the normalization of relations with Middle Eastern countries "served us during this crucial time" this weekend.

"It has to be clear that real assets" provided Israel with "information" and an "early warning," and the "majority" of that intelligence came from the coalition, the senior Israeli Air Force official said at a Monday briefing.

In terms of the types of drones and missiles used by Iran in the Saturday night attack, the official said Israel did not face any types of missiles that it had not shot down during attacks in recent months by Iranian proxies.

The official confirmed that only "a handful" of ballistic missiles fired by Iran were not intercepted.

"Five, more or less, managed to penetrate," the official said.

He said Israel's "strategic investment" in air defense capabilities, made years ago, had paid off, and called Israel shooting down nearly all missiles a "historic success."

The official was asked if Israel would be able to withstand a similar level of attack from Iran, without the support of allies such as the U.S.

"It would be more challenging,” the official conceded, but added that Israel has capabilities "to face this kind of challenge."

-ABC News’ Tom Soufi Burridge

Israel on Saturday demonstrated its "military superiority" against Iran while also showcasing its partnership with military allies, including the United States, John Kirby, spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, said Monday.

Israel said Sunday about 99% of the missiles and drones launched by Iran were intercepted by Israel and its allies, a defense that Kirby called a "tremendous success."

"I think it did show, did demonstrate that Iran is not the power that it purports to be, that it doesn't have that same military superiority," Kirby said on "Good Morning America."

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White House urges caution as Israel weighs response to Iran missiles

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby answers questions about the nation's response to rising tensions between Israel and Iran.

ABCNews.com

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected on Monday to reconvene his war cabinet, a body that met on Sunday without deciding on a response to Iran's attack. And President Joe Biden and his G7 counterparts on Sunday released a statement urging Iran to cease its attacks.

"With its actions, Iran has further stepped toward the destabilization of the region and risks provoking an uncontrollable regional escalation," the G7 leaders' statement said. "This must be avoided."

The United States would not participate in an Israeli response, if the country decides to strike back against Iran, U.S. defense and security officials said on Sunday.

But the final decision on whether Israel strikes back will fall to Netanyahu, Kirby said Monday.

"The president was also clear, as he has been throughout, that we do not seek a wider war in the region and we don't seek conflict with Iran," he said.

-ABC News' Kevin Shalvey

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected on Monday to meet with his war cabinet to discuss potential responses to Iran’s attack.

The cabinet had convened on Sunday, but ended their meeting without making a final decision about a response to Iran’s attack, a person with knowledge of the meeting told ABC News.

The cabinet members include Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Benny Gantz, a former minister of defense.

-ABC News’ Joe Simonetti, Jordana Miller and Kevin Shalvey

Two U.S. officials confirm to ABC News that at least half of the ballistic missiles launched by Iran at Israel either failed to launch, failed in flight, or crashed before reaching their targets in Israel.

A senior U.S. official previously told ABC News that among the more than 300 drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles, there were between 115 and 135 ballistic missiles that targeted Israel.

That would mean that only half of the ballistic missiles launched by Iran needed to be shot down by Israel and other countries.

The Wall Street Journal was first to report this info.

-ABC News' Luis Martinez