Israel and Hezbollah both threatened to increase their cross-border attacks, despite international appeals for them to step back from all-out war.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would take “whatever action is necessary to restore security” and return people safely to their homes along the Israel-Lebanon border.

Lebanese Minister for Public Works, Ali Hamie – who is linked with Hezbollah – however argued that Israel is dragging the region to war, just as the latest cross-border exchanges have sparked renewed international concern.

UN chief Antonio Guterres says he feared “the possibility of transforming Lebanon [into] another Gaza”.