Should Israel retaliate or let sleeping dogs lie?

Everyone except John Bolton, former US national security adviser (under Trump), wants the Israel/Iran thing to come to an end now. So, Israel destroyed the Iranian consulate building in Damascus, killing seven people, and Iran responded with 300 missiles and drones against Israel - no one killed, very little damage. That should be it. We've had one-for-one, tit-for-tat, so call off the revenge addiction and get on with life. But Bolton says differently. He says Israel has no choice but to deliver a mighty blow to Iran for daring to fire missiles and drones at Israeli territory. Otherwise, he says, Iran and other adversaries will think they can get away with launching direct attacks on Israel. Strictly speaking, Bolton is right. In the big arena, backing down is seen as a sign of weakness. Israel said it would retaliate if Iran attacked. But in this dangerous world, the last thing we need is a non-stop direct military confrontation between Israel and Iran and all that that implies. Some very stupid people are already warning of a Third World War. Give us a break, we need diplomacy not more war. China has called for calm, and that's exactly what we need right now. A bit of calmness and grown-upness is required. We've had an eye-for-an-eye outbreak of violence. Now go back to your corners and lick your wounds. But no more escalation.