US offers $5m bounty for Israel's enemies

The United States has offered rewards of up to $5 million each for a member of Hezbollah and a member of Palestinian Islamic Jihad, both of which the United States says are terrorist groups.

The offer on Monday follows authorisation from Condoleezza Rice, the US secretary of state, that the men be added to the US' Rewards for Justice programme.

The state department identified the Hezbollah member as Mohammed Ali Hamadei, alleging he took part in the hijacking of TWA flight 847 in 1985.

The member of Palestinian Islamic Jihad was named as Ramadan Abdullah Mohammad Shallah, wanted for conspiracy to conduct the affairs of the organisation.

Hijack charges

Hamadei is believed to be living in Lebanon. He was indicted in 1985 on 15 charges for his role in planning and taking part in the hijacking, the state department said in a statement.

The hijack resulted in the murder of Robert Stethem, a US soldier.

The US state department say Shallah has furthered the activity of Palestinian Islamic Jihad through activities such as bombings, murder, extortions and money laundering.

It said since 1995 he has been the secretary-general and leader of the group, which has its headquarters in Damascus.

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