U.S. steps up pressure on Hezbollah, offers reward for two operatives

WASHINGTON - 10 October 2017: The United States offered multimillion-dollar rewards for two Hezbollah officials on Tuesday as it stepped up a pressure campaign against the Iranian-backed Lebanese group.

The U.S. State Department said the government was offering up to $7 million for information leading to the arrest of Talal Hamiyah, head of Hezbollah's external security organization, and up to $5 million for Fuad Shukr, a top Hezbollah military operative.

U.S. counterterrorism officials told a State Department briefing they believe Hezbollah wants to develop the capacity to strike inside the United States and they continue to see activity on behalf of the group in America.