According to the UN Secretary-General, a full-scale conflict between Israel and Hezbollah would be "a catastrophe". For David Kamari, however, who lives on the Israeli side of the border under almost constant bombardment, it would be a solution.
His home in the border town of Kiryat Shmona was completely destroyed by debris last month when a Hezbollah rocket launched from Lebanon landed in his front lawn.
He gestures to the enormous holes left by shrapnel that pierced through the walls, just missing him. And beyond that, to the hills above us, which mark the boundary of Hezbollah-held territory.
"Bombs, every day and night. "It's an issue," he said. I was born here as well. You go insane if you spend even one night here."
David is still residing in his debris-filled home, his television set remnants twisted in shrapnel. The charred remnant of his automobile, scorched by the fire that spread over his front yard after the missile strike, is visible outside.
Following the Hamas strikes on October 7, the majority of Kiryat Shmona's inhabitants was evacuated as Hezbollah missiles started to rain down in support of their Palestinian friend.
David is among the select few who remained. He said, "I've lived here for 71 years." "I refuse to go. I'm not frightened; I served in the army."
His remedy? "War with Hezbollah; kill Hezbollah," he declares.
Israel has been retaliating against Hezbollah with great force, taking out key leaders and attacking sites further into Lebanon.
This month, Hezbollah has escalated its missile and drone barrage over the border, and both sides' threats have grown. The organization released drone images of residential and military buildings in the Israeli city of Haifa earlier this week.
A reciprocal strategy of deterrence has historically included tough language, with both parties being seen as leery of full-scale conflict.
But while the pointless fighting continues and over 60,000 Israelis are still being evacuated from their homes in the north, there are indications that Israel's government and people are willing to approve military measures to drive Hezbollah back over the border.
Avichai Stern, the mayor of Kiryat Shmona, takes me to the location of last week's rocket strike on a street close to his office.
"I don't think it has any country in the world would accept everyday fire against its citizens," Mayor Stern said.
It is unacceptable for them to be sitting here like sheep to be slaughtered, waiting for the day when they will raid us like we saw in the south. Everyone is aware that there is just one option: war now or later."
The war that Israel is waging in Gaza, more than 100 miles (160 km) to the south, is primarily to blame for this perilous standoff.
A truce there would also reduce tensions in the north, but Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, emboldened by his pledge to friends in the far-right government to destroy Hamas prior to the conclusion of the Gaza War, is perpetuating both confrontations.
Even the Israeli military spokesperson expressed doubts earlier this week about the goal's viability.
Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told Israeli TV, "The idea the fact that we can destroy Hamas or make Hamas disappear has been deceiving to the public."
People who have remained behind on the Lebanese side of the border, where over 90,000 people have been evacuated, are in an equally gloomy mood.
Fatima Belhas resides close to Jbal el Botm, a few miles (7 km) from the Israeli border.
She said that when Israel shelled the region in the beginning, she would tremble with terror, but she has already accepted the shelling and no longer considers fleeing.
She said, "Where would I go?" "Others have relations in other places. But in such case, how am I to impose on someone? We don't have any money.
"Maybe it is better to die at home with dignity," she said. "We learned to resist as children. We will not be expelled from our country like the Palestinians have."
Not so long ago, on the Lebanese side of the border, Hussein Aballan abandoned his hamlet of Mays al Jbal, which is just 6 miles (10 km) from Kiryat Shmona.
He said that due to unstable communications, inconsistent power, and almost nonexistent stores, life there had become unfeasible.
He told the BBC that the few dozen folks who are still there are mostly elderly individuals who won't leave their houses and farms.
However, he supported the attack on Israel by Hezbollah.
"Everyone in the south [of Lebanon] has lived under years of aggression, but has come out stronger," he said. "We are strong only because we resist."
Even while the border dispute is challenging for people on both sides, a full-scale war will intensify the situation.
In preparation for a full-scale confrontation, some Beirut residents are keeping their passports ready and their luggage packed. Hassan Nasrallah, the head of Hezbollah, said this week that no area of Israel would be spared.
Iran provides support to Hezbollah, an army well-trained and equipped; Israel is a highly developed military force that has the US as an ally.
A full-scale conflict is probably going to be terrible for both sides.
Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, predicted a "catastrophe that goes [...] beyond imagination."
Israel's challenge is to put an end to the missiles and evacuate its citizens to the deserted northern regions of the nation.
Hezbollah has a challenge in stopping the missiles while Israeli troops are pounding Hamas in Gaza, its partner.
The longer that scenario drags on, the higher the chances of making a mistake and the greater the pressure on Israel's administration to find a solution.
The October 7th Hamas strikes altered Israel's security considerations. Many people who live close to the border, including some powerful people, feel that the type of arrangement that was previously reached with Hezbollah is insufficient.
Tom Perry resides at the Lebanese border fence-front kibbutz Malkiya. Earlier this month, a Hezbollah missile crashed through the front of his home when he was out partying with friends.
"I think the Secretary-General’s statement is right – [war] will be a catastrophe to the area," he said.
Sadly, however, it seems that we are without other options. Since they want us dead, no accord can survive indefinitely. Unless Israel is able to destroy Hezbollah, we are destined to fight wars forever."
He claims that Israel's authorities have no plan to bring about peace and have completely lost credibility in the wake of the October 7 strikes.
"Everyone of them must give up. They were our commanders, and that October 7th was the worst failure both of our army and our nation. These are not the leaders we need."
After Israel's disputes are resolved, there will probably be further calls for political reform.
Many think that the prime minister of Israel is biding his time, stuck between mounting calls for a truce in Gaza and mounting endorsements for war in the north.
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