Israel-Lebanon maritime agreement to prompt working relations

Al-Monitor Pro Member

Gerald Kepes

President, Competitive Energy Strategies, LLC

Oct. 14, 2022

US-mediated negotiations, underway for months, appear to have reached a successful end, although formal approvals are needed from the Israeli and Lebanese governments (Israel's cabinet gave preliminary approval this week). Full ratification could still be subject to the political jockeying and machinations of various parties. Israel faces an election on Nov. 1, 2022, and Lebanon’s presidential term ends at the same time with no successor identified.

Powerful political factions within each country are either against the proposed agreement or wish to use its existence against their political opponents. The threat of cross-border violence, ever present, looms in the background. However, the Israeli military-security establishment appear to be in favor of the agreement having secured certain guarantees from the US and the main political force in Lebanon, Hezbollah, has acquiesced to dealing with Israel given the dire condition of the Lebanese economy.

The agreement will recognized the buoy-marked border 3.1 miles off the coast of the northern Israeli city of Rosh Hanikra, then will track Line 23.