Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Monday strongly hinted that Israel is preparing to launch a ground offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

“The elimination of (Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan) Nasrallah is a very important step, but it is not everything. We will use all the capabilities we have,” Gallant said to troops of the 188th Armored Brigade and Golani Infantry Brigade in northern Israel.

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati announced Monday that Lebanon is ready to implement Resolution 1701 and send the army immediately to the area south of Litani should there be a ceasefire.

“We stressed our stance on the implementation of the statement issued by the U.S. and a number of European and Arab countries that called for a ceasefire and launching discussions over the implementation of Resolution 1701, and we accept everything that was mentioned in the statement,” Mikati added.

President Joe Biden said Sunday he would speak with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and believes that an all-out war in the Middle East must be avoided.

"It has to be," Biden told reporters as he boarded Air Force One for Washington. "We really have to avoid it."

Iran will not deploy forces to Lebanon or Gaza to confront Israel, its foreign ministry said on Monday, as Israeli strikes target its allies in the region.

"There is no need to send extra or volunteer forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran," said foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani, adding that Lebanon and fighters in the Palestinian territories "have the capability and strength to defend themselves against the aggression."

In just over a week, intensified Israeli strikes in Lebanon killed seven high-ranking commanders and officials from the powerful Hezbollah militant group, including the group's leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.

The move left Lebanon and much of the Mideast in shock as Israeli officials celebrated major military and intelligence breakthroughs.

Hezbollah deputy chief Sheikh Naim Qassem on Monday eulogized Hezbollah’s slain leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in a televised address and announced that Hezbollah will fight on.

"Know that Sayyed Nasrallah will always be among us,” Qassem told Hezbollah’s fighters and members.

Israel's assassination of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah is a monumental and hugely demoralizing blow to the group he led for 32 years, marking a significant inflection point for Lebanon and the region.

Hezbollah's announcement of his death Friday triggered tears and celebrations across the Arab world, pointing to the widespread reach and influence of a divisive man who has been at the forefront of Middle Eastern politics for decades.

Lebanese officials have asked people who lost relatives in recent Israeli airstrikes to provide DNA samples to match with unidentified remains.

Lebanon’s Internal Security Forces on Monday called on residents across the country to visit police stations with an identity card to give their samples. It said more than one person from each family should provide a sample, if possible.

Israel on Monday reportedly announced its rejection of a ceasefire proposal with Hezbollah, which had been presented by mediators during the previous period.

European Union foreign ministers called Monday for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah and have expressed support for U.N. peacekeepers in southern Lebanon.

“Arms should now be silenced, and the voice of diplomacy should speak and be heard by all,” EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told reporters after chairing an emergency meeting.