If he was ready to go, but then decided not to because the strike they had planned wasn't proportionate to the offense, it's pretty clear that he does not believe it was an unintentional mistake. So why did he say that? He says a lot of stuff that defies understanding. Whatever the reason, it does not appear to me that he believes it was unintentional.
"Proportionate to the offense." I hate the way that sounds. If someone has the balls to step up, I want the response to be disproportionate to teach the offender that the original action was a bad idea.