UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an end to hostilities along the demarcation line between Lebanon and Israel, warning of the risk of a broader conflict, AFP reports.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, visiting the northern border area after eight months of fighting with Hamas that has devastated Gaza, warned on Wednesday that Israel was “prepared for a very intense operation” along the border.

Daily exchanges of artillery fire between Hezbollah and Israel have intensified in recent days amid the Israeli offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

“As the exchanges of fire across the Blue Line continue, the Secretary-General renews his calls to the parties to urgently cease fire,” UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement, referring to the demarcation line between Israel and Lebanon.

“These exchanges of fire could trigger a broader conflict with devastating consequences for the region,” he added.