Maritime dispute with Beirut: Israel starts tests for Karish gas extraction

The security service leadership has given the green light to the Energean company for testing. The Israeli Defence Minister announces a "resolute response" in the event of an attack by Hezbollah and does not rule out a "broader conflict". The Lebanese Shia movement has threatened reprisals in the event of extraction without agreement. 

Tel Aviv (AsiaNews) - Israel has started tests to extract gas from the controversial Karish field, claimed by Lebanon in a long-running dispute over maritime borders in the Mediterranean. According to a report by broadcaster Channel 12 yesterday, the Jewish State's top security services gave the green light to the international drilling company (based in London) Energean to start the tests. A step that could exacerbate tensions with Beirut and scupper the diplomatic path to an agreement, as well as trigger Hezbollah's military response with fears of a new regional war.

In a note, the company said it was 'pleased' to confirm an 'important step in the process' of 'commissioning' (performance verification activities) of Energean Power's 'production, storage and offloading' floating unit. Having obtained the go-ahead from the Israeli Ministry of Energy, the company started the procedures for testing with the flow of gas from underground.

Public broadcaster Kan added that the pumping operations from the site in full operation could be finalised within a few weeks after the start of the tests. In recent days, Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz declared that his country will go ahead with the extraction of gas from the Karish field, regardless of Hezbollah's threats and possible military escalation. He announced a 'resolute response' in case of attacks 'by air, sea or land'. And should the clash turn into a 'wider conflict, we will tear Lebanon apart, and that would be a shame'.

On 6 October, Israel rejected the revision of the draft agreement with Beirut, drawn up by US special envoy Amos Hochstein, which should put an end to the maritime border dispute between the two countries. In addition, a possible victory at the polls of former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - who has already criticised the terms of the agreement as null and void - in the elections on 1 November could put an end to the already difficult mediation work.

Lebanon and Israel are in dispute over a maritime area of 860 square kilometres (332 square miles), according to maps sent by their respective governments to the United Nations in 2011. The area is rich in natural gas and oil. Since 2020, five rounds of indirect negotiations on the issue have been held under the auspices of the UN and mediated by the US, with the last round taking place in May 2021.

• Lebanon
• Israel
• disputed waters
• economy
• diplomacy
• maritime borders
• Hezbollah