JERUSALEM -- Israel's military chief Eyal Zamir said on Monday the army has "launched an offensive campaign against Hezbollah," warning the operation would last "many days" as the conflict escalates sharply along the country's northern border.

"We must prepare for many days of combat ahead," Zamir said during a situational assessment at the military's headquarters in Tel Aviv.

"This requires strong defensive readiness and sustained offensive readiness, operating in continuous waves while constantly utilizing opportunities," he said.

The announcement came after Hezbollah, the Iran-aligned Lebanese group, joined the conflict by launching overnight missile and drone attacks toward Israel. No injuries or damage were reported, but the incident marked the first such attack since the November 2024 ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon that formally ended the conflict with Hezbollah, Israel's public broadcaster reported.

The move came two days after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. The Israeli military has mobilized 100,000 reservists to prepare for what it described as a "multi-arena" conflict.