Israel has expanded its military campaign against Hezbollah, announcing plans to target the Lebanon-based militant group's financial arm and attack “a large number of targets” in Beirut and beyond.

Shortly after the announcement, explosions were reported in Beirut's southern suburbs, signaling a significant escalation in hostilities.

Evacuation warnings have been issued for southern Beirut, the eastern Bekaa Valley and parts of southern Lebanon. Although there were strikes near Lebanon's only airport, it remained operational.

The Israeli military has confirmed that its attacks will focus on al-Qard al-Hassan, a Hezbollah-controlled organization that funds activists and arms purchases. A senior Israeli intelligence official stressed anonymously that this was an integral part of their efforts to weaken Hezbollah's operations.

Al-Qard al-Hassan, a registered nonprofit organization sanctioned by the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, provides financial services to Hezbollah and ordinary Lebanese citizens. The group has been instrumental in helping Hezbollah consolidate support among Lebanon's Shiite population amid the country's economic collapse.

David Asher, an expert on illicit finance, highlighted the significance of the attacks, noting: “AQAH is a cash-based organization. “The cash will be trash” if the attacks are successful. Al-Qard al-Hassan then assured customers that measures had been taken to protect their funds.

The escalating conflict has caused widespread confusion and panic. An evacuation notice for Choueifat, south of Beirut, incorrectly identified the target as the Grand Cinema ABC Verdun, a theater in central Beirut, more than six miles away.

The Israeli military has acknowledged the growing war with Hezbollah, which intensified after the Gaza conflict spilled into Lebanon last month.

The Israeli military has increased air strikes in southern Beirut, targeting areas with Hezbollah strongholds but also where civilians live.

In southern Lebanon, the Lebanese army reported that three of its soldiers were killed in an Israeli attack, and recent reports from The Associated Press said Israel apologized for that action.

The Lebanese military, while respected, remains largely sidelined due to its limited power compared to Hezbollah.

On Sunday, Hezbollah fired over 170 rockets into Israel, wounding three people in Safed.

Amid rising tensions, UNIFIL, the United Nations peacekeeping mission, accused Israeli forces of demolishing its observation tower and fence in southern Lebanon. Despite the pressure, UNIFIL refused to retreat from their positions.

On October 7 last year, Hamas led the deadliest Palestinian militant attack in Israel's history, killing about 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostage. Nearly 100 people remain captive, with fewer than 70 believed to be alive. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, Israel then launched a military operation in Gaza that has so far killed about 42,000 Palestinians. Local health authorities do not distinguish between civilians and fighters but say many of those killed were women and children.

Shortly after the October 7, 2023 attack, Hezbollah began firing rockets and drones against Israel in solidarity with Hamas. Israel then began attacks on Lebanon, killing over 2,400 people in the country so far since Israel's ground operation began on October 1 this year.

As the conflict intensifies, the US is investigating reports that Israel is preparing for a military response to the Iranian missile attack in early October.

Meanwhile, Lebanon is preparing for more attacks as Israel expands its military operations across the region.

This article contains reporting from The Associated Press