London, Nov 3 (IANS): Fears have been growing on Friday over the possibility of Hezbollah declaring war with Israel which is likely lead to a larger conflict in the Middle East, prompting the IDF to put troops on 'very high alert', the media reported.

The terror group's chief Hassan Nasrallah will break weeks of silence since war broke out between Hamas and Israel in a speech on Friday, that some fear could signal Hezbollah's intention to wade deeper into the on-going conflict, the Daily Mail reported.

After Hamas militants launched an unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip, Lebanon's southern border has seen escalating tit-for-tat exchanges, mainly between Israel and Hezbollah.

The terror group, like Hamas, is backed by Iran, and clashes across Israel's northern border are stoking fears of a broader conflagration of the on-going war, the Daily Mail reported.

The cross-border attacks heated up Thursday, as Israel responded with a 'broad assault' after Hezbollah said it attacked 19 Israeli positions simultaneously.

Rockets also hit the Israeli town of Kiryat Shmona near the border in a barrage claimed by the Lebanese section of Hamas' armed wing.

In a statement on Friday, the IDF said it is on 'very high alert' along Israel's northern border, and that it will 'respond to every event' in the region, the Daily Mail reported.