Hezbollah began firing rockets, drones and missiles into Israel the day after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack out of Gaza ignited the war there. The Israel-Hezbollah conflict boiled over into all-out war in September as Israel carried out massive waves of airstrikes and killed most of the militant group’s senior leaders.

Naim Qassem said any Israeli military presence on Lebanese soil after February 18 would be considered an occupying force.

Hezbollah's chief said Sunday it was the government's responsibility to ensure the Israeli army withdraws from Lebanon by a looming ceasefire deadline, as Israel carried out air strikes in the country.