LONDON -- The threat of a wider war is looming over the Israel -Lebanon border after two consecutive days of explosions across Lebanon and in Syria, confirmed to have killed at least 32 people.

Israel’s defense minister has declared the start of a “new phase” of the war as Israel turns its focus toward the northern front against Hezbollah militants in Lebanon.

Cities once bustling with life now stand eerily empty, evacuated due to relentless rocket fire from across the border – Watch the i24NEWS special report