Jerusalem: Israel said on Tuesday it was close to a “historic” deal Lebanon To resolve the long-running border dispute over the gas-rich Mediterranean watersFollowing a US-draft proposal met Israel’s “demands”.
Israel had welcomed a preliminary draft released by US envoy Amos Hochstein, which aims to unlock gas production for both countries by settling competing claims on offshore fields.
But Israel said last week that it intended to reject the changes to Hochstein’s draft sought by Lebanon.
Negotiations continued in recent days and Israel said Hochstein’s latest proposal had brought a deal within reach.
Israel’s national security adviser and chief negotiator at the talks said, “All our demands were met, the changes we asked for, corrected.” Iyal Hultasaid in a statement.
“We have protected Israel’s security interests and are moving towards a historic agreement,” he said.
Lebanon and Israel have no diplomatic relations and their land border is patrolled by the United Nations. The two sides are technically still at war.
The countries resumed negotiations on their maritime boundary in 2020, but the process has repeatedly faced obstacles.
Israel has said it is committed to exporting more gas to Europe to help replace war-ravaged Russian deliveries in Ukraine.
Israel had welcomed a preliminary draft released by US envoy Amos Hochstein, which aims to unlock gas production for both countries by settling competing claims on offshore fields.
But Israel said last week that it intended to reject the changes to Hochstein’s draft sought by Lebanon.
Negotiations continued in recent days and Israel said Hochstein’s latest proposal had brought a deal within reach.
Israel’s national security adviser and chief negotiator at the talks said, “All our demands were met, the changes we asked for, corrected.” Iyal Hultasaid in a statement.
“We have protected Israel’s security interests and are moving towards a historic agreement,” he said.
Lebanon and Israel have no diplomatic relations and their land border is patrolled by the United Nations. The two sides are technically still at war.
The countries resumed negotiations on their maritime boundary in 2020, but the process has repeatedly faced obstacles.
Israel has said it is committed to exporting more gas to Europe to help replace war-ravaged Russian deliveries in Ukraine.