Israel Applauds “Historic Agreement” With Lebanon
The maritime issue between Israel and Lebanon has been resolved, according to a statement from Lapid’s office, which the prime minister welcomed as “an historic success that will bolster Israel’s security”.
Jerusalem: Israel announced Tuesday that it and Lebanon have resolved their long-standing maritime border dispute through a US-brokered deal, calling it a “historic success” that might lead to major offshore gas production for both nations.
Since they began in 2020, negotiations between the neighbours, who are still technically at war, have had numerous obstacles. However, they have recently picked up steam as both parties aim to profit on the potential wealth of the Mediterranean gas reserves. Israel “Historic Agreement” With Lebanon
Israel approved the final accord that US ambassador Amos Hochstein offered earlier this month, but Lebanon demanded some changes. Israel declared last week that it would reject the adjustments Lebanon was seeking, even if it meant that an agreement couldn’t be reached. However, talks went on, and they finished with what both sides claimed as acceptable final conditions.
According to a statement from Israel Prime Minister Yair Lapid’s office, “Israel and Lebanon have reached a historic deal settling the maritime dispute.” Lapid welcomed the accord as “an historic success that will improve Israel’s security.” The proposed final document from Hochstein was deemed “acceptable to Lebanon” by the presidency of Lebanon, who expressed the expectation that “the agreement on the demarcation will be published as soon as feasible.”
Elias Bou Saab, the chief negotiator for Lebanon, declared that “today we have reached a settlement that is satisfactory to both parties.” The Karish gas field, which Israel believed fell wholly within its seas and was not up for discussion, was a major source of contention during the negotiations. According to reports, Lebanon claimed a portion of the field, and Hezbollah, the potent terrorist organisation supported by Iran that wields enormous influence in Lebanon, vowed to attack if Israel started producing at Karish.
Israel has stated that regardless of Lebanon’s demands, production will start as soon as possible at Karish. Israel “Historic Agreement” With Lebanon
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A crucial step before production can start was taken on Sunday when the pipeline connecting Karish to the Israeli coast was tested by the London-listed company Energean. The US text has not been made public, but according to provisions that have leaked to the press, the entire Karish field would be in Israeli authority. In contrast, the Qana prospective gas field would be divided but Lebanon would be in charge of its operation.
Israel would get a cut of any future profits made by the French corporation Total while it was granted permission to conduct gas exploration in the Qana area. Lebanon will “obtain its full rights from the Qana field,” according to Bou Saab, while Israel could be compensated through Total. He declared that there will be no direct cooperation in gas exploration or extraction between the two adversarial powers.
The Israeli prime minister stated that his country is dedicated to supplying additional gas to Europe in order to supplement Russian imports that have been impacted by the conflict in Ukraine. The final stages of the negotiations, however, have been overshadowed by Israel’s general election on November 1. Israel “Historic Agreement” With Lebanon
Right-wing opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that by moving forward with an accord, Lapid had “capitulated” to Hezbollah. It’s unclear if Netanyahu, who is still adamant about retaking the position of premier he held from 2009 to 2021, has seen the deal’s suggested terms. Israel “Historic Agreement” With Lebanon
