Israel sanctions Lebanese oil company Coral, which denies supplying fuel to Hezbollah ...

An employee of an al-Amana gas station, affiliated with Hezbollah. Photo taken from the website amana.com.lb

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz signed a sanctions order Thursday against oil company Coral Oil, which is accused of supplying 130,000 liters of fuel to al-Amana, a petroleum products distribution company affiliated with Hezbollah. The Lebanese company categorically rejected the accusations in a statement released Friday.

According to the Israeli Defense Ministry, as quoted by The Jerusalem Post , Coral allegedly supplied 130,000 liters of gasoline and diesel to al-Amana, which Israel considers to be owned by Hezbollah and has been subject to Israeli sanctions since 2020. The ministry claims the deliveries amount to logistical support for Hezbollah, which it says uses the fuel to transport weapons and military equipment, power generators and facilities, and operate its underground infrastructure.

The ministry says supplying fuel gives Hezbollah ‘‘the means to continue its terrorist activities’’ against Israel. It described the decision as a new step in its policy of sanctioning trade routes and supply chains linked to the Lebanese Shiite group. Coral Oil, registered in the United Kingdom, is owned by the Lebanese group A. Yamin Group SAL and operates in Lebanon.

In a statement published Friday on its website, Coral ‘‘categorically rejected’’ the Israeli decision and denied supplying fuel to al-Amana after the latter was added to the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctions list in February 2020. ‘‘These accusations are totally unfounded and inaccurate,’’ the company said, asserting that it conducts its operations in compliance with local laws and international standards. Coral also announced its intention to refer the matter to the appropriate authorities and, if necessary, initiate legal proceedings.

The company said it continues to operate ‘‘with complete transparency’’ and in accordance with applicable international sanctions. It said it was ready to provide any necessary documents or clarifications and vowed to take all appropriate measures to protect its reputation and pursue the authors of what it called ‘‘false, defamatory or misleading’’ accusations.

The announced measure was issued by Israeli authorities and does not constitute a new U.S. or British sanction against Coral.

Already have an account? Login here

You have reached your article limit

Stay informed a Middle East in crisis.

Already have an account? Login here