People walking along the beach as a navy vessel patrols the Mediterranean waters off Rosh Hanikra, known in Lebanon as Ras al-Naqura, on the Israeli side of the border between the 2 countries, on October 7, 2022. Israel and Lebanon have brokered a historic agreement to resolve a long-running maritime border dispute on Tuesday, following months of negotiations mediated by america.
Jalaa Marey | Afp | Getty Images
Israel and Lebanon reached a historic agreement to resolve a long-running maritime border dispute on Tuesday, following months of negotiations mediated by america.
The breakthrough between the 2 longtime adversaries — who’re still technically at war — will enable each countries to develop the offshore gas fields of their waters and ramp up gas production, exports of which could possibly be vital for Europe at a time when it’s desperately looking for recent sources.
While it has yet to be formally ratified, each parties have expressed their satisfaction with the terms of the deal.
“It is a historic achievement that may strengthen Israel’s security, inject billions into Israel’s economy, and ensure the soundness of our northern border,” Israel’s Prime Minister Yair Lapid said in an announcement.
He added that the “unprecedented deal” will strengthen Israel’s security and deliver cheaper energy to countries all over the world.
His comments got here after Lebanon received the ultimate draft of the U.S.-brokered agreement with Israel.
Lebanese President Michel Aoun said that the terms of the newest draft satisfied Lebanon, and expressed hope in a post from his official Twitter account that the deal could be announced soon.
The Israeli president also thanked U.S. special envoy Amos Hochstein for his “labor” in mediating the agreement.
An extended history of conflict
Israel and Lebanon have been at war for a long time since 1948, with each countries staking claim over a swathe of territory within the Mediterranean Sea, which comprises a part of the Karish gas field and Qana, a prospective gas field.
Negotiations pertaining to the Israeli-Lebanese border dispute over gas-rich waters off the countries’ Mediterranean coasts have been ongoing since October 2020.
The Karish gas field, which is being developed by Israel, has come under threat from Hezbollah, Lebanon’s powerful political and militant group backed by Iran.
In a surprise development, Hezbollah has agreed to the deal’s terms and considers the negotiations “over,” Reuters reported on Tuesday, citing two unnamed senior Lebanese officials.
While some steps remain for the maritime deal to be officially ratified, the very fact alone that each countries can agree on something that they are saying will improve security and revenues for every is a victory, says former U.S. ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro.
“The deal still must work through each political systems. Tough,” Shapiro wrote on Twitter. “As much as Israeli AG, courts, and voters — internal matters for Israelis. For US interests, a resolution that permits gas for Lebanon and more gas for Israel to flow without risk of conflict is a win.”
It is important to notice that the agreement only pertains to a territorial dispute in a corner of the eastern Mediterranean sea, not land borders, that are still being contested.
Crucial gas exports
As for what the deal looks like, the U.S. proposal essentially divides the ocean border in two, with the primary 3 miles from the shore marked as Israel’s border, which has been treated as such for several years. Beyond that, the border will track along a line demarcated by Lebanon, called Line 23, meaning that every country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) can be clearly outlined.
Israel has discovered huge gas deposits in its EEZ which have contributed to its own supplies in addition to its exports. That is something that could possibly be very useful for Europe because it grapples with its looming energy crisis after gas supplies from Russia were cut in response to sanctions over Moscow’s war in Ukraine. Israel’s Lapid said that his government is committed to increasing gas exports to Europe.
Lebanon has not managed to start production yet, with progress on bidding and licensing moving slowly or under no circumstances, due partly to the country’s endemic corruption. But when exploration ends in a considerable gas discovery, the revenue could help improve Lebanon’s dire financial situation, which has left it with every day power outages and the lack to import fuel.
The deal also will allow Lebanon to start exploring the Qana gas field, in its southern exploration block, via a consortium led by French energy giant Total. Because the Qana field crosses into Israeli waters, the deal would allow Israel to get a portion of royalties if business quantities of gas are found.
Lebanese negotiators say Lebanon has held onto all of its maritime blocks.
