Israeli newspaper "Yedioth Ahronoth" reported that the U.S. mediator for the maritime border negotiations between Israel and Lebanon, Amos Hochstein, met with Israeli Energy Minister Karine Elharrar, but did not convey any significant message from the Lebanese side. He was quoted as saying after the meeting, "We have narrowed some gaps."
The newspaper noted that the meeting did not include any Lebanese reference regarding the disputed issues, despite the threat made by the Secretary-General of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, yesterday to strike the Karish gas platform. For Israel, the goal of the negotiations is to resolve the maritime border issue with Lebanon, which also serves Lebanon's interest as it grapples with a severe economic crisis and needs gas that may be located in the disputed areas.
