Israel-Gaza-Lebanon live updates: Hezbollah backs cease-fire, Israel widens offensive

Hezbollah Deputy Secretary-General Naim Kassem said Tuesday that the Iran-backed group will not be cowed by Israel's ongoing air and ground campaign in Lebanon.

"The longer the war goes on, the deeper Israel will find itself in trouble," Kassem said in a video address delivered from an unknown location. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "can say that he wants war, but he cannot achieve his goals from it," he added.

More Israelis in the north of the country will be displaced as Hezbollah expands its operations, he said.

Hezbollah will continue cross-border attacks and "expanding the range of the missiles," the leader said.

"This war has not affected our will and will not affect our determination to confront," Kassem said. "Our resistance on the front is cohesive and the administration is cohesive."

"Our resources and capabilities remain in good shape," Kassem said, despite weeks of intense Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon. "Our command and control is solid. Look at how our operations have increased in the last few days." Still, Kassem also said Hezbollah supports Lebanese government efforts to secure a cease-fire.

Kassem said the U.S. bears responsibility for the ongoing war. "Israel and America and the West are trying to put more pressure on us to make us afraid," he continued.

"Without American support, the Israeli aggression would have stopped within a month," Kassem said.

-ABC News' Joe Simonetti and Somayeh Malekian

Hezbollah launched a barrage of rockets into northern Israel on Tuesday as the group's Deputy Secretary-General Naim Kassem issued a defiant address vowing to defeat Israel's operations in Lebanon.

The Israel Defense Forces said 135 projectiles were fired into Israeli territory, some of which were intercepted and some of which landed.

The launches prompted sirens in the city of Haifa and elsewhere in the north of the country.

In his video address, Kassem -- Hezbollah's acting leader -- said more Israelis will displaced in the north of the country as the militant group expands its rocket fire deeper into Israel.

Kassem said Hezbollah's capabilities are still intact despite weeks of heavy Israeli airstrikes. He added that the group has replaced all commanders killed by Israeli attacks.

-ABC News' Jordana Miller and Joe Simonetti

Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett called for a major attack on Iran, saying in a video posted to social media on Tuesday: "The opportunity must not be missed."

Israeli leaders say they are preparing a response to Iran's Oct. 1 ballistic missile barrage.

"Attack the Iranian nuclear program and the regime centers now," urged Bennett, who was prime minister from 2021 to 2022 and remains an influential voice in national politics.

An August poll by Israel's Channel 12 news found 38% of respondents would support Bennett's return as prime minister, versus 33% who wanted Netanyahu to remain in the post. Both men polled better than opposition leaders Benny Gantz and Yair Lapid.

-ABC News' Jordana Miller

The Israel Defense Forces announced that a fourth division joined its ground operation in southern Lebanon on Monday.

The 146th Division "began limited, localized, targeted operational activities against Hezbollah terror targets and infrastructure in southwestern Lebanon," the IDF said. The 146th was previously deployed along Israel's northwestern border with Lebanon in a defensive role, it said.

The IDF said the 146th Division is the first reserve division to be deployed into southern Lebanon. Its troops will be supported by the 213th Artillery Brigade and other units, the IDF said.

The 146th joins the 91st Galilee Division, 98th Paratroopers Division and 36th Division which are already in action in southern Lebanon.

-ABC News' Jordana Miller