Israel and Lebanon strike historic maritime border deal
Israel and Lebanon reached a historic agreement Tuesday, outlining a disputed maritime border between the countries over major gas fields in the Mediterranean.
Although the agreement only outlined an ocean border between the two Middle Eastern countries, the deal marks a significant compromise between two countries that have historically been enemies. The United States has attempted to broker a peaceful deal between the countries for years.
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“This is a historic achievement that will strengthen Israel’s security, inject billions into Israel’s economy, and ensure the stability of our northern border,” Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid said in a statement obtained by Reuters.
The agreement will also ease a source of tension that still exists between the countries by setting a boundary in the Karish oil and gas field and a region known as the Qanaa prospect. Both are expected to fall into Israeli and Lebanese waters respectively under the new deal. The deal also settles a way for both countries to receive royalties from the gas field, which straddles the border. The deal does not touch the land border.
“The final version of the offer is satisfactory to Lebanon and meets its demands and preserved Lebanon’s rights of this natural wealth,” Lebanon’s President Michel Aoun said in a statement.
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Hezbollah, Lebanon’s armed militant group that strongly opposes Israel, has also given the agreement a green light, according to Reuters.
The deal will still need approval by the Israeli parliament, which Lapid said he would convene Wednesday following a special session of the government, according to CNN. Lapid is up for reelection next month, and a final agreement is not expected to be signed for another three weeks, according to an Israeli official.
Lebanese officials said the deal does not change the relationship between the countries.
