Benny Gantz, a member of the war cabinet and Israel’s most popular politician, has called for caution when weighing on a possible retaliation against Iran.

Mr Gantz, who has reliably polled 15-20 per cent higher than prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in recent months, said in a statement released just as the war cabinet was about to convene to decide on a response to Iran that Israel needs to build a regional coalition to “make sure Iran pays the price, in the manner and time right for us”.

That is the strongest indication so far that Mr Gantz, who is often allied with defence minister Yoav Gallant, will be advising the prime minister against an immediate retaliatory strike on Iran.

In a carefully worded statement on Sunday, Mr Gantz made it clear that Israel will respond to the attack at the right time and reminded Israelis that the country has other, arguably more pressing security challenges to face.

“We must remember that we are yet to complete our missions – most importantly, returning the hostages and removing the threat from residents of Israel’s north and south,” he said.

Mr Gantz and Mr Gallant in recent weeks paid rare visits to the United States, and both are believed to have strong ties with the Biden administration.