Israelis expressed relief and optimism Sunday after US President Donald Trump ordered air strikes on Iran, 10 days into a war that has widespread public support.

Despite daily nerve-shredding trips to bomb shelters and growing damage around the country, Israelis appeared united behind Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's move to attack Iran on June 13.

Trump's decision to authorise overnight bombing raids on Iran's nuclear facilities has provided further reassurance after more than a week of sorties by the Israeli air force.

"The war with Iran was inevitable. You knew it would happen sooner or later," Claudio Hazan, a 62-year-old software engineer, told AFP in central Jerusalem on Sunday.

"I hope that it will shorten the war, because otherwise Israel by itself would not stop until they get that Fordo place bombed," he explained, referring to the deeply buried Iranian nuclear site targeted by heavy US bombers overnight.

Israelis have hunkered down for the last 10 days, with businesses closed, schools shuttered and people urged to stay home.

Few have slept a........

© Al Monitor