This morning, the office of caretaker Prime Minister Yair Lapid issued a statement saying Israel had just received a draft agreement for its maritime border with Lebanon that “responds to all the security, economic and legal demands it had made,” and would be presented to the security Cabinet next week. “This is a historic achievement that will strengthen Israel’s security, bring in billions and promise stability along the northern border,” Lapid said.
Israel and Lebanon are engaged in a race to the finish line. Not against each other, but rather against the clock and against two other runners intent on torpedoing the final draft agreement presented this week to both sides by US mediator Amos Hochstein on demarcation of their gas-rich economic waters. Lebanon and Israel both are keen to sign the deal after years of fruitless negotiations.
