Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday announced the establishment of a new organization that would spearhead the country's cyber defense operations, according to a statement by his office.

The statement said his decision to establish the authority was made pursuant to "comprehensive and thorough staff work" which " indicated the need for a designated body to link the civilian with security spheres, coordinate between leading experts in the field, and lead Israel's overall defensive activity while taking a long- term view of the increasing and developing cyber threats."

The National Operative Cyber Defense Authority will be granted authorities to defend the civilian sphere from cyber threats, and will function alongside the Israel National Cyber Bureau (INCB), an agency formed three years ago to maintain Israel's status as a global powerhouse of cyber technology.

Dr. Eviatar Matania, INCB chief, has been tasked by Netanyahu with overseeing the authority's establishment as a multi-year project that would involve other relevant state agencies, and instructed to submit the initiative for Security Cabinet approval within 60 days.

At the start of the extended Cabinet's weekly meeting on Sunday, Netanyahu, who has made cyber security one of Israel's top priorities in recent years, said the new agency's role would not be limited to defending "important facilities and security agencies" against cyber attacks, but also Israeli citizens.

He equated its establishment to "the creation of an air force against new threats," saying Israel could not rely on existing agencies to bear the brunt of defending civilian grids and networks.

"We are in a new world and are preparing with new forces," Netanyahu said. "This has major significance for Israel's defense in the future."

Speaking at a cyber-security conference at Tel Aviv University a week ago, Netanyahu accused Iran of perpetrating most cyber attacks against Israel, including during the recent war in Gaza.

"I want to clarify that the party behind the cyber attacks against Israel is first and foremost Iran," the prime minister said, adding that the Islamic Republic and its proxies exploit the security and anonymity afforded by cyber space to attack the Jewish state and other countries.

"Cyber space is increasingly becoming a battlefield," Netanyahu said. He noted that Islamist group Hamas also attempted to attack Israel's Internet infrastructure during the summer's war, noting that, in comparison to rockets being launched from Gaza and audible air raid sirens, in cyber warfare the foes are not immediately discernible.

He further said that Israel's investment in cyber security can potentially become "an enormous engine" of economic growth.