Thousands of fighters from Iran-backed groups in the Middle East are prepared to join Hezbollah in Lebanon if the conflict with Israel escalates into a full-scale war.

Almost daily skirmishes have occurred along Lebanon’s border with northern Israel since Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel in early October, igniting a war in Gaza.

Tensions worsened this month after an Israeli airstrike killed a senior Hezbollah commander in southern Lebanon, prompting Hezbollah to retaliate by launching rockets and explosive drones into northern Israel, Politico has reported.

Israeli officials have threatened a military offensive in Lebanon if Hezbollah is not pushed back from the border through negotiations.

Written by B.C. Begley