Israeli media reports indicate that the gas exploration company "Energean" will begin testing the pipeline for the disputed Karish field between Israel and Lebanon on Sunday. The "Times of Israel" reported on Saturday, citing Channel 12, that the country’s security institution had authorized the global company to start its tests before extracting natural gas from the field, amidst threats from Hezbollah.
The Israeli broadcasting agency "Kan" stated that these tests will begin on Sunday, with full operations for extracting natural gas from the Karish field expected to start within weeks once the tests are completed. Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz stated that Israel will proceed with its gas extraction plans, even if no agreement is reached, and warned Hezbollah that any attack would be met with a "decisive" response.
In remarks to Channel 12, Gantz said: "If Hezbollah makes this mistake and attacks Israel in any form by air, sea, or land, Israel will defend itself firmly and retaliate decisively. If things escalate into a broader conflict, we will dismantle Lebanon."
Israel rejected, on Thursday, amendments proposed by Lebanon to a draft agreement regarding the demarcation of maritime borders between the two countries, which would facilitate the investment of potential oil and gas resources offshore.
A senior Israeli official told Agence France-Presse that "Israel received the Lebanese response to the mediators' proposal, and Prime Minister Yair Lapid was briefed on the details of the fundamental changes that Lebanon seeks to implement and instructed the negotiating team to reject them."
The draft proposal put forward by U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein, presented to both Israeli and Lebanese sides, includes a set of suggestions related to the demarcation of southern maritime borders. Negotiations between Lebanon and Israel began in 2020 but were suspended in May 2021 due to disputes over the area of the contested region after Lebanon requested amendments to the map used by the United Nations during discussions, claiming it was based on incorrect estimates.
In a separate interview with Kan, Gantz stated: "If we reach an agreement with the Lebanese government, it will be in the interest of both sides. It will be beneficial for stability and serve all players." He added that Israel is "not concerned" about Hezbollah's threats, asserting that "we continue to clarify that Israel is ready for an agreement, (but) Israel is determined to preserve its economic and security interests."
