U.S. President Joe Biden began his Middle Eastern visit from the occupied territories, where he made several remarks, particularly concerning the nuclear agreement with Iran, while awaiting the summit statement from Jeddah on Saturday. In Lebanon, attention is focused on the potential impacts of behind-the-scenes developments from this visit on Lebanese political matters, especially with the presidential elections approaching, and more importantly, on the maritime border delineation file. This is particularly significant as Amos Hochstein is accompanying Biden during this visit. Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah's clear escalation serves as a direct Iranian message to Biden, as he announced his readiness for war if required regarding the oil and gas file.
In contrast, monitoring sources expect that Hochstein's presence in the U.S. presidential delegation indicates an interest in completing the negotiations, despite his previous visit to the occupied territories not yielding the desired results. The "Asharq Al-Awsat" reported that Lebanon is awaiting the answer that the U.S. mediator for maritime border delineation with Israel is expected to bring after his visit to Tel Aviv alongside Biden. There is uncertainty surrounding the details of the new proposals he will present, with hopes in Lebanon that the message will be positive, aiding in the resumption of indirect negotiations for border delineation, which are being held under the auspices of the United Nations in the International Forces' headquarters in Naqoura, southwestern Lebanon.
Hochstein had earlier sent a message from Lebanon to Tel Aviv last month to be presented to the Israeli side, but no response has been received so far. Lebanese sources involved in the ongoing diplomatic efforts stated that there is "positivity" regarding "developments in the file," which they inferred from U.S. Ambassador Dorothy Shea's recent visit to Beirut. However, these sources declined to elaborate further, confirming to "Asharq Al-Awsat" that they are waiting for a decisive answer from Hochstein upon his return to Beirut.
Hochstein has not yet delivered any oral or written message to Lebanese authorities regarding the Israeli response to the Lebanese proposal, according to these sources. This was confirmed by Lebanese President Michel Aoun during his discussions with French Ambassador Anne Grillo, where he emphasized the importance of the southern maritime border delineation and achieving positive outcomes in this regard.
Lebanon firmly supports the U.S. mediation led by Hochstein, who visited Beirut three weeks ago and held meetings with Lebanese officials, including President Michel Aoun, in an effort to find a settlement formula for the maritime border delineation between Lebanon and Israel. Based on the Israeli response Hochstein will carry back, a date will be set to resume the UN-sponsored indirect negotiations, facilitated by American mediation.
Amid the official Lebanese secrecy regarding the discussions, local media previously reported progress in the negotiations, suggesting that Israel agreed to exchange the entire "Karish" field in favor of Israel for the entire "Qana" field for Lebanon. There were also discussions about Israeli demands to acquire part of Block No. (8) in the southwestern region of the dispute, which Lebanon opposed.
When asked about the proposals being discussed, the sources following the delineation file stated that what is circulating "does not exceed media coverage and may not correspond to reality," emphasizing Lebanon's adherence to its land and maritime rights and its resources both on land and at sea.
Last week, Hezbollah sent three drones into the airspace over the "Karish" area, which the Israeli army announced it shot down, an incident that has generated division in Lebanon regarding this action. Sources acquainted with the party's stance defended sending the drones, stating that it "revived momentum for negotiations that had cooled after Hochstein's recent visit to Lebanon, reactivating them." However, they stressed in statements to "Asharq Al-Awsat" their support for the official Lebanese stance and backing the state. These sources said the party "has not changed its clear position of standing behind the state and is not involved in the details of the negotiations and the proposals being discussed; it is committed to the state's position, which is primarily concerned with this file."
Israeli media reported yesterday that the Israeli government has lodged a complaint with the United Nations Security Council regarding Hezbollah's drones. Israeli media quoted Israel's UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan as saying that "his government has requested the Security Council's intervention after Hezbollah launched drones over the Karish natural gas platform last week." An Israeli site indicated that "Israel has claimed that Hezbollah's launching of drones towards the Karish gas field constitutes provocation and a blatant violation of Security Council resolutions, and that Tel Aviv will take all necessary measures to protect its energy infrastructure."
