At its heart is the gas-rich Karish field east of the Mediterranean Sea, which Israel plans to begin exploiting.
Orna Mizrahi, a senior research fellow at Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies, said in a press conference with reporters on Sunday that the main problem preventing a deal between the two sides was “change of in the Lebanese position” on where the maritime border lies. Israel and Lebanon lie.
What is the current Lebanon-Israel dispute?
The crux of the dispute is actually over the maritime economic boundary between the two countries, and how the border extends from the land border of Lebanon and Israel.
For many years, the disputed area covered about 860 square kilometers, with Lebanon claiming its maritime border was to the south of Israel’s claim. Below those borders, the Karish field lies within an area claimed by Israel.
But recently, Lebanon revised its original maritime boundary claim, moving it further south and adding about 1,400 square kilometers more than it originally claimed, according to Mizrahi. The sub-zone includes the part of the Karish field where Israel is conducting expeditions.
Why has this dispute flared up until now?
On June 5, when London-based oil and gas exploration company Energean arrived on behalf of Israel to begin development of Karish, Lebanon argued that the field should not be developed until the conclusion of negotiations to delimitation of maritime boundaries.
Why are these conversations important?
Struggling with a crippled economy and a fragmented government, Lebanon desperately needs new sources of revenue from oil and gas exploration, while Israel wants to position itself as a new supplier of natural gas to Europe instead. for Russia. Defining the boundary would allow both sides to exploit the resources of the Mediterranean without facing legal obstacles or the threat of possible military confrontation.
“Lebanon, more than Israel today, needs this deal,” said Lebanese energy expert Laury Haytayan, adding that the deal would also provide security to Israel, allowing it to explore and exercise. without running into “permanent escalation” with Lebanon.
What is the current state of the negotiations?
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US strikes new sanctions on Iran, targeting Chinese and UAE companies
According to the US Treasury Department, the US issued new sanctions related to Iran on Thursday. The new sanctions target Chinese and UAE companies and a network of Iranian companies that help export Iranian petrochemicals.
- Story: The US has sanctioned a network of Iranian petrochemical producers, as well as “front companies” in China, the UAE and Iran, saying they are “brokers” for Iranian petrochemical exports , read a statement from the Ministry of Finance. The network is also engaged in facilitating international transactions and evading sanctions, the statement added. Reuters could not be reached by the Chinese and Emirati companies for comment.
- Why is it important: The steps could put pressure on Iran to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, which would limit Iran’s nuclear weapons capabilities in return for sanctions relief. While the deal is nearing completion, negotiations have stalled since March when the US designation of Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards emerged as the final sticking point.
Israeli police conclude investigation into behavior at Shireen Abu Akleh .’s funeral
- Story: Television footage shows officers using batons to attack mourners, almost prompting the mourners to drop the coffins. At the time, Israeli police said they were responding to objects and rocks thrown at police. Shabtai said police were checking the activity of forces on the ground, but he appeared to blame funeral attendees for how events unfolded: “We have to learn thoroughly. [the lessons from] incident, so that in the future sensitive events like this will not be disturbed by rioters, and will be respected. ”
- Why is it important?: Israeli police were harshly criticized after the procession, with the White House calling the images “disturbing” and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken saying he was “deeply disturbed by the images of Israeli policemen. break into the funeral.”
The ‘Jamal Khashoggi Way’ sign is displayed in front of the Saudi embassy in Washington, DC
- Story: US intelligence report found last year that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) “approved an operation in Turkey to capture or kill Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi”, which MBS denied.
- Why is it important?: The announcement of “Jamal Khashoggi Way” comes a month before Biden visits Saudi Arabia, where he intends to meet MBS. The trip drew criticism from members of his party and human rights advocates over the kingdom’s human rights record and the journalist’s murder.
Around the area
The artifacts are statues of Egyptian pharaohs, including Amenhotep III and Amun-Ra, as well as the ancient Egyptian god Horus. Among them is also a stone mural.
Antiquities theft and smuggling increased in Egypt after the 2011 uprising, which saw relics stolen from museums as well as through illegal excavations. The North African country has been working hard to locate and retrieve its stolen treasures.
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