People walking along the beach as a navy vessel patrols the Mediterranean waters off Rosh Hanikra, known in Lebanon as Ras al-Naqura, on the Israeli side of the border between the 2 countries, on October 7, 2022. Israel and Lebanon have brokered a historic agreement to resolve a long-running maritime border dispute on Tuesday, following months of negotiations mediated by america.
Jalaa Marey | Afp | Getty Images
Israel and Lebanon reached a historic agreement to resolve a long-running maritime border dispute on Tuesday, following months of negotiations mediated by america.
“It is a historic achievement that can strengthen Israel’s security, inject billions into Israel’s economy, and ensure the steadiness of our northern border,” Israel’s Prime Minister Yair Lapid said in an announcement.
He added that the “unprecedented deal” will strengthen Israel’s security and deliver more cost-effective energy to countries all over the world.
His comments got here after Lebanon received the ultimate draft of the U.S.-brokered agreement with Israel.
Lebanese President Michel Aoun said that the terms of the newest draft satisfied Lebanon, and expressed hopes that the deal can be announced soon, in response to Reuters.
Israel and Lebanon have been at war for a long time since 1948, with each countries staking claim over a swathe of territory within the Mediterranean Sea, which comprises a part of the Karish gas field and Qana, a prospective gas field.
Negotiations pertaining to the Israeli-Lebanese border dispute over gas-rich waters off the countries’ Mediterranean coasts have been ongoing since October 2020.
The Israel president also thanked U.S. special envoy Amos Hochstein for his “labor” in mediating the agreement.
