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

Shortly after the announcement, explosions were reported in Beirut’s southern suburbs, marking a significant intensification of hostilities.

Evacuation warnings were issued for southern Beirut, the eastern Beqaa Valley and parts of southern Lebanon. Although attacks occurred 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 operatives and weapons purchases. A senior Israeli intelligence official, speaking anonymously, highlighted this as a key part of their efforts to weaken Hezbollah’s operations.

Al-Qard al-Hassan, a registered non-profit organization sanctioned by the US and Saudi Arabia, provides financial services to Hezbollah and ordinary Lebanese citizens. The group has been instrumental in helping Hezbollah shore up support among Lebanon’s Shiite population amid the country’s economic collapse.

David Asher, an expert on illicit finance, emphasized the importance of the strikes, noting: “AQAH is a money-based organization. The money will be waste” if the attacks are successful. In response, Al-Qard al-Hassan assured customers that measures had been taken to safeguard their funds.

The escalating conflict has caused widespread confusion and panic. An evacuation notice for Choueifat, south of Beirut, incorrectly identified a target as 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 army has stepped up airstrikes on southern Beirut, targeting areas with Hezbollah strongholds but also where civilians live.

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

The Lebanese army, while respected, has largely remained on the sidelines due to its limited power compared to Hezbollah.

On Sunday, Hezbollah launched more than 170 rockets into Israel, wounding three people in Safed.

Amid rising tensions, UNIFIL, the UN peacekeeping mission, accused Israeli forces of demolishing the watchtower and fence in southern Lebanon. Despite pressure, UNIFIL has refused to back down from its positions.

On October 7 last year, Hamas led the deadliest Palestinian militant attack in Israel’s history, killing some 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostages. Nearly 100 people remain in captivity, of whom fewer than 70 are believed to be alive. Israel then launched its military operation in Gaza, killing some 42,000 Palestinians so far, the Gaza Health Ministry said. Local health officials do not distinguish between civilians and fighters but say many of the dead were women and children.

Hezbollah began firing rockets and drones into Israel in solidarity with Hamas shortly after the October 7, 2023 attack. Israel then began attacking Lebanon, killing more than 2,400 people so far since Israel launched its ground operation on October 1 this year.

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

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

This article contains reporting from The Associated Press