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

Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem said Sunday that Lebanon's government was responsible for making Israel honour a withdrawal deadline under a fragile ceasefire agreement, while also blaming Israel for a stoppage on flights from Iran.

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem has warned that Israeli troops must fully withdraw from Lebanese territory by February 18, rejecting Israel’s request to maintain military positions in southern Lebanon. He stated that any remaining Israeli presence after the deadline would be considered an occupation.

Lebanese media on Sunday reported that Israeli gunfire killed a woman as Washington pressed Beirut to disarm Hezbollah, two days before a deadline in the ceasefire between Israel and the Iran-backed group.

Israel has requested to keep its troops in five posts in southern Lebanon until February 28, a Lebanese official and foreign diplomat told Reuters on Wednesday.

U.S. Deputy Special Envoy for the Middle East Morgan Ortagus said she was "not afraid" of Iran-backed Hezbollah because it was defeated by Israel, stressing the group should not be part of the new Lebanese government.

At least one person was killed on Monday in an Israeli strike on a car in the southern city of Saida, a day before the deadline for Israel to withdraw from Lebanon under a fragile ceasefire. Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said on Sunday that it was the recently-formed Lebanese government's responsibility to ensure that the Israeli army withdraws