Smoke was seen rising from the southern Lebanese town of Khiam on Sunday morning, amid ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces

For weeks now diplomats have been working to try to avoid the crisis in Gaza escalating into a wider regional conflict.

The United States has warned the ongoing failure to agree a ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas could see those diplomatic efforts fail.

But despite intense US pressure, talks to establish a ceasefire deal for Gaza after more than 10 months of war have led to nothing.

Israel’s military says it is ready to fight a war on two fronts: in Gaza and on its northern border with Lebanon.

But Hezbollah is a far more formidable force than Hamas.

It’s estimated it has around 150,000 rockets, some capable of reaching targets across Israel.

Its fighters, some of whom have fought in the war in Syria, are well trained and better equipped than those of Hamas.

Almost a year into the conflict in Gaza, some question whether there is appetite in Israel for another war.

Hundreds of thousands of Israeli army reservists have been called up to fight in Gaza, often serving several tours.

But many Israelis, especially those from the north, say Hezbollah needs to be dealt with.

Tens of thousands of people living there have been evacuated from their homes since the start of the war in Gaza. Many have lost their businesses.

In southern Lebanon too, tens of thousands of people have been forced to leave their homes because of fears of Israeli strikes.

Israeli and Hezbollah leaders say they do not want another full-scale war. But both sides say they are ready for it.