Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz ordered troops near the border with Lebanon into high readiness on Thursday, amid reports that the country has rejected Beirut’s amendments to a US-proposed border compromise.
The maritime border dispute involves natural gas fields both neighbors seek to exploit. After consultations with the general staff, Gantz ordered the Israel Defense Forces to prepare for any scenario in which tensions increase in the northern arena.
The order was an indirect confirmation of reports earlier in the day that Israel had rejected Lebanon’s amendments to the agreement, drafted by US regime’s envoy Amos Hochstein and presented to both sides last weekend.
According to Al Jazeera, Hochstein’s draft received a mostly warm preliminary reception from both sides. Lebanon presented its response on Tuesday, but on Thursday Israel rejected those modifications.
While the deal has not been made public, Israeli media said it would have allowed the country to freely explore the Karish gas field, while handing over exploration activities to French Total and Italian Eni companies.
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The main issue appears to be Lebanon’s reluctance to accept an Israeli-demarcated buoy line as a de facto international border, given the two countries are technically still at war.
Caretaker Prime Minister Yair Lapid rejected the substantial changes Lebanon tried to make, an Israeli official told Al Jazeera, adding that Israel will not compromise on its security and economic interests.
Hochstein’s original proposal was welcomed by Hezbollah and described as on the right track to assert Lebanon’s rights over all its waters by Lebanese PM Najib Mikati earlier this week. Beirut is reportedly still waiting for Israel’s official response to the amendments.
Gantz also argued in favor of the deal, saying it would harm Iran and Hezbollah. However, former PM Benjamin Netanyahu called it a surrender agreement and insisted Israel needs different leadership. Israeli elections, the fifth in four years, are scheduled for November 1.
Beirut and Jerusalem are disputing a maritime area approximately 860 square kilometers in size, believed to be rich in oil and natural gas. Negotiations have been ongoing since 2020, complicated by the fact Israel and Lebanon have no official diplomatic relations.
RT. com / ABC Flash Point News 2022.
As long as Israel has the US to defend it things aren’t looking good for Lebanon. Lebanon is a poor country and desperately needs the gas to lift its country out of poverty, meanwhile Israel is stealing land from Palestine and gas fields from Gaza and Lebanon.
Lebanon desperately needs this part of this gasfield to mend it’s economy. another war is coming.
Lebanon has been turned into a failed state. Syria another failed state. So is Iraq and Egypt is exploding with Zionist pushed corruption, incompetency, debt and will become a failed state anytime. Interestingly, these all states border Israel and Israel is at advantageous position here thanks to US regime.
Israel has a choice, share the gas with Lebanon – and get 50% of something or, don’t & get 100% of nothing. Much like the situation in Ukraine at the moment?