Status: 09/20/2022 03:39
Israeli Prime Minister Lapid has announced that his country will soon start production at a controversial gas field in the Mediterranean Sea. There is a risk of conflict with Lebanon and Hezbollah. The US is trying to mediate.
Israeli Prime Minister Jair Lapid has announced that natural gas production will soon begin at a disputed deposit in the Mediterranean Sea. Production at the Karisch gas field should start as soon as possible.
The move could lead to tensions with the Lebanese Hezbollah militia. Israel and Lebanon are in dispute over approximately 860 square kilometers of maritime space in the Mediterranean Sea. Lebanon, hit by a serious economic crisis, hopes to be able to produce oil and gas there.
Negotiations continue
The US is trying to mediate and has also talked about progress. However, they stated that they still needed time to find a solution. Lapid said an agreement with Lebanon is possible and necessary. However, production at the Karisch gas field has nothing to do with the negotiations. You will start without delay.
Israel had already installed an oil rig in the gas field in June. It considers that the gas field does not belong to the disputed maritime area. Lebanon, on the other hand, counts.
Hezbollah threatens with violence
Iran-backed Hezbollah has repeatedly threatened to use armed force to defend Lebanon’s economic interests. But she also made it clear that she would recognize an agreement between the Lebanese government and Israel.
In July, the Israeli military shot down three unarmed Hezbollah drones over the Karish gas field, prompting the heavily armed militia to threaten to cut off any arm that tried to steal Lebanon’s wealth.