Beirut (Lebanon) (AFP) – In Lebanon's biggest public hospital, nurses are busy honing their life-saving skills as the spectre of all-out war looms, 10 months into intensifying clashes between Hezbollah and Israel over the Gaza war.

"We are in a state of readying for war," nurse Basima Khashfi said as she gave emergency training to young nurses and other staff at the hospital in Beirut.

"We are currently training employees -- not just nurses, but also administrative and security staff.

"With our current capabilities, we're almost prepared" in case of a wider war, she told AFP.