An Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon on Monday killed the head of Hamas' military operations in the country, Israel's army said. The strike came on the eve of the deadline for Israel’s full withdrawal from southern Lebanon under the ceasefire agreement that ended the 14-month war between Israel and Hezbollah.

The Israeli army intensified its attacks in southern Lebanon on Monday ahead of a Feb. 18 deadline for withdrawing its forces from the area. Israeli forces pushed deep into the center of Kfarchouba town, where Lebanese army troops are deployed, the Lebanese state news agency NNA reported.

The Israeli military said it killed a Hamas commander in an air strike in southern Lebanon on Monday, accusing him of planning attacks against Israel from Lebanese territory.