US targets sanctions evasion network tied to Hezbollah

The United States imposed sanctions on Tuesday on what it described as a Lebanon-based sanctions evasion network that funnels millions of dollars to Hezbollah.

The action targeted three individuals linked to Hezbollah's finance arm and four Lebanon-based companies registered to conceal ties to the group, according to a Treasury Department statement.

The US also sanctioned three individuals involved in the production and sale of the amphetamine known as captagon, who it said have funded the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and its allies, including Hezbollah.

"Today's action underscores (Hezbollah's) destabilizing influence within Lebanon and on the wider region, as the group, its affiliates, and its supporters continue to finance their operations through covert involvement in commercial trade and the illicit trafficking of captagon,” Bradley T. Smith, acting undersecretary of Treasury for terrorism and financial intelligence, said in the statement.

The latest developments come as Israel's latest bombardment of Hezbollah targets caused widespread destruction in southern Lebanon, ahead of US and Israeli strikes in the wider region Thursday.

Israel's assault on Lebanon on Wednesday toppled buildings and killed a city mayor, hours before Israeli strikes were reported in Syria and Gaza.

The United States meanwhile said it hit Yemen with air strikes targeting weapon storage facilities of Iran-backed Houthis, who have repeatedly fired drones at Israel since the Gaza war erupted.

Washington has vowed to support Israel, despite growing international criticism over the civilian toll of Israel's fight against Tehran-allied groups in Gaza and Lebanon.

A rare Israeli strike Thursday on the Syrian port city of Latakia targeted a weapons depot, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said.

The Israeli military, which would not comment on the attack, accuses Hezbollah of ferrying weapons to Lebanon through neighbouring Syria.

Israel ramped up its bombardment of Lebanon in late September and by the end of the month sent ground troops across the border.