As delays in the indirect maritime negotiations between Lebanon and Israel have raised concerns, local media in both countries report an increased chance of a final deal in the upcoming weeks in order to prevent a military conflict in the Mediterranean Sea.
Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar reported on 19 August that Israel sent a message to Hezbollah through diplomatic channels, saying that it accepts Lebanon’s full demands.
Israel will acknowledge that line 23 and the Qana prospect field are in Lebanese territory, but pleaded with Hezbollah to drop its threats of attacking the Israeli gas fields in the case of a delayed deal.
Similarly in early August, the US sent a message to Hezbollah through a mediator from Kuwait asking for more time to finalize a deal, in light of the upcoming Israeli elections in November.
However, Secretary General of Hezbollah Hassan Nasrallah refuses to accept any delays, stressing that the economic situation in Lebanon is too dire for additional compromise.
“Time is short, and depending on the [Israeli] response, we will surely act,” Nasrallah announced in a speech during Ashura procession.
The deadline set by Hezbollah for Lebanon to secure its rights expires on 15 September.
Hebrew news website Walla reported that a senior Israeli official is expected to visit the US to discuss the maritime border dispute with Lebanon, in the hopes of signing an agreement.
Israel acknowledges that the need to end the dispute takes precedence over the urge to avoid the dangers of a military conflict with Lebanon, and that any delay would severely disrupt the operations of Israeli gas companies.
Al-Akhbar reported that some companies have threatened to withdraw their ships and existing facilities along with their employees if Israel cannot guarantee the safety of all equipment and staff for the duration of the contract.
The situation remains unclear and deceptive, according to Lebanese Sheikh Sadiq al-Nabulsi, who accuses Israel of baiting Hezbollah into concessions while no concrete progress has been made to end the dispute.
Over the past few weeks, while Lebanon was receiving positive gestures from the US and Israel, the Israeli army held two naval drills simulating the defense of their maritime assets against possible attacks by UAVs.
The Israel security establishment assesses that Hezbollah will carry out an attack against Karish gas field and other maritime assets if Lebanon’s demands are not met before gas extraction commences in Israel in September.
“In the event that we receive early intelligence about an operation by Hezbollah, Israel will [pre-emptively] neutralize the threat,” Walla news quoted Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz as saying.