BEIRUT, June 15 (Xinhua) -- Hezbollah announced Monday that it had targeted an Israeli army force advancing in a border area in southern Lebanon, saying the operation forced the unit to retreat.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at a press conference in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Nov. 18, 2023. (File photo: Xinhua)

In a statement issued by its military media, the group said its members spotted at 6:15 p.m. local time an Israeli force consisting of a military bulldozer and two Merkava tanks advancing on the outskirts of the southern Lebanese town of Kfar Tebnit.

It said its members confronted the force using guided missiles and suicide drones, adding that the operation compelled the Israeli unit to withdraw from the area and was carried out in response to what it described as Israeli violations of the ceasefire.

On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a press conference that the Israeli military will remain in the "security zones" it controlled in Lebanon, Syria and the Gaza Strip as long as necessary.

Iran and the United States finalized a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Sunday, aiming to end conflict on all fronts, including Lebanon. However, Israel has shown no sign so far of halting its offensive against Hezbollah.

Further negotiations between Washington and Tehran over the Iran nuclear issue and the removal of U.S. sanctions are expected to begin after the signing of the MoU in Geneva on Friday.