image source, Reuters
Israel and Lebanon signed a historic agreement defining their borders in the Mediterranean Sea.
Both neighboring countries are tIt iscynical in state of war since the founding of Israel, in 1948, and led a dispute over an offshore gas field.
Hezbollaha powerful Lebanese militant and political group, has threatened to attack if Israel tries to extract gas before the deal.
Now both countries will benefit economically from the deposit.
The agreement defines some 860 square kilometers seas along the coasts of both countries. Until now, no one has been able to exploit the natural resources of the area due to disagreements over the borders of each country.
The disputed tape contains a part Karisha field whose presence of gas has already been confirmed, as well as a part Bloodfield with indications of the presence of gas.
According to an agreement negotiated with the participation of the United States, Israel secured all rights to Karishand also recognizes Lebanon’s rights to Qan.
Beirut has agreed to allow some potential revenue from Qana, some of which is inside Israeli waters, to go to Tel Aviv.
Prime Minister of Israel Yair Lapid – who faces a general election next week – hailed the deal as a diplomatic achievement.
“It doesn’t happen every day that an enemy state recognizes the state of Israel in a written pact, in front of the entire international community,” he pointed out.
For his part, the Lebanese president, Michel Aounhe played down the importance of the agreement and said it was “a technical deal with no political implications”.
Lapid’s political rival, former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, called the deal illegal and said he would not be bound by its terms.
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