Threats of war are firing between Israel and Lebanon-based Hezbollah, sparking fears of a wider Middle East conflict.  

Israel's military says operational plans for an offensive in Lebanon have been approved.  

Meanwhile, Hezbollah says it would invade northern Israel should a war break out.  

Otago University Professor of Peace Studies Richard Jackson told Mike Hosking that it's unlikely Israel could take on both Hamas and Hezbollah, as the latter is a much bigger opponent.  

He says since the 2006 war Hezbollah's been massively re-arming and it has a lot more sophisticated weapons. 

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