Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that his country is waging an existential battle with Iran, noting that Tehran will pay a heavy price for its bombing of Israel and killing of civilians.

This came in statements to the media, made on the sidelines of his inspection of the site of the Iranian missile strike in Bat Yam, Tel Aviv, on Sunday evening.

He added:"We are waging an existential battle with Iran, and this is now understood by all Israeli citizens. Imagine what would happen if Iran possessed nuclear weapons and were to drop them on Israeli cities?"

He continued: "Imagine what would happen if Iran possessed 20,000 missiles of this type. We would achieve our war goals and eliminate the nuclear threat posed by Iran."

The latest Iranian attack on Israel caused extensive damage to the city of Bat Yam, south of Tel Aviv, which was hit by dozens of rockets, killing six Israelis and wounding 200 others.

Israeli authorities declared Bat Yam a site of widespread casualties and destruction, with an estimated 35 missing at the site of the Iranian missile strike.

The mayor of Bat Yam said this afternoon that he expects the death toll from the Iranian missile attacks to rise.

As part of the latest wave of bombing, Israeli public radio reported that dozens of homes and buildings were damaged by Iranian missiles concentrated in the city of Bat Yam, near Tel Aviv.

The Israeli Home Front Command said last night was difficult for Israel, and that rescue teams are searching for survivors under the rubble in Bat Yam.