BEIRUT, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem said Wednesday that the group will continue its resistance against Israel, describing the confrontation as an "existential defense."

Smoke plumes rise following Israeli bombardment on southern Lebanon near the border with northern Israel on March 3, 2026. (File photo: AFP)

Qassem said in a televised speech that Hezbollah had adhered to a ceasefire agreement between the group and Israel, while Israel failed to commit to any of its provisions.

"More than 10,000 violations" had been recorded by the United Nations and the Lebanese army since the ceasefire took effect, while around 500 people had been killed during the same period, he said.

Qassem said Hezbollah had refrained from responding to repeated Israeli attacks during that period in order not to be accused of obstructing diplomatic efforts, adding that the latest rocket barrage launched by the group was a response to Israeli and U.S. "aggression," as well as months of Israeli violations.

Separately, Hezbollah said in a statement that it fired a salvo of rockets on Tuesday evening toward the Tel Hashomer base, described as the headquarters of the Israeli army command southeast of Tel Aviv, as well as a military target south of the city of Haifa.

Hezbollah on Monday fired missiles towards Israel, citing the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei by Israel and the United States, as well as the repeated Israeli attacks. Israel then launched massive strikes against the group and sent ground forces into southern Lebanon.