Lebanese Caution after Hochstein Lauds ‘Very Good Progress’ in Maritime Border Talks

Amos Hochstein meets with President Michel Aoun (Dalati & Nohra)
Amos Hochstein meets with President Michel Aoun (Dalati & Nohra)
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Lebanese Caution after Hochstein Lauds ‘Very Good Progress’ in Maritime Border Talks

Amos Hochstein meets with President Michel Aoun (Dalati & Nohra)
Amos Hochstein meets with President Michel Aoun (Dalati & Nohra)

The US mediator arbitrating negotiations of the maritime border between Lebanon and Israel, Amos Hochstein, reported “very good progress” towards arranging for a deal that benefits the Lebanese economy.

Hochstein’s optimism followed his meetings with several Lebanese officials in Beirut.

Many in Lebanon remain “cautious” as the results of talks suggest a delay in time before completing a deal, a matter which adds to rising tensions considering threats made by Hezbollah.

Lebanon and Israel are engaged in US-brokered negotiations to demarcate maritime borders, which would help define each party’s share of oil and gas resources and pave the way for further exploration.

Hochstein arrived in Beirut on Friday.

The US mediator held rounds of talks with senior officials, and met with President Michel Aoun, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, in addition to Deputy Speaker of Parliament Elias Bou Saab, Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Bou Habib and Director of General Security, Major General Abbas Ibrahim.

Hochstein updated Lebanese officials on his contacts during the past weeks following a prior visit to Beirut.

Besides discussing his contacts with the Israeli side, Hochstein also reviewed the results of his visit to France, including talks with the French energy company “Total,” which is in charge of drilling in Lebanese territorial waters, accompanying sources told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Sources said that the US mediator “did not carry a decisive Israeli response to Lebanese demands,” stressing that the delay in reaching an agreement, “is something that does not satisfy the Lebanese who insist on achieving it as soon as possible.”

Moreover, Lebanon categorically rejects establishing joint fields with Israel.

Hochstein, after concluding his trip to Lebanon, travelled to Doha, sources revealed.

Lebanon and Israel, formally at war since 1948, have no diplomatic ties and are negotiating over an area measuring more than 860 square kilometers of the Mediterranean Sea that is believed to contain significant offshore gas reserves. Both countries have made claims to the territory.



Israel Ready to Negotiate Permanent Gaza Ceasefire during 60-day Truce, Netanyahu Says

09 July 2025, US, Washington: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking with the press at the US Capitol in Washington. Photo: Douglas Christian/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
09 July 2025, US, Washington: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking with the press at the US Capitol in Washington. Photo: Douglas Christian/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
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Israel Ready to Negotiate Permanent Gaza Ceasefire during 60-day Truce, Netanyahu Says

09 July 2025, US, Washington: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking with the press at the US Capitol in Washington. Photo: Douglas Christian/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
09 July 2025, US, Washington: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking with the press at the US Capitol in Washington. Photo: Douglas Christian/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will likely have a ceasefire agreement with Hamas to release more Israeli hostages held by the Palestinian group. 

Netanyahu said 50 hostages were still being held captive by Hamas. Of that figure, he said, only 20 are believed to be alive. 

"I want to take them all out. We now have a deal that supposedly will get half of the living and half of the dead out," Netanyahu said in an interview on Newsmax show "The Record with Greta Van Susteren" that aired on Thursday. 

"And so we'll have 10 living left and about 12 deceased hostages, but I'll get them out, too. I hope we can complete it in a few days." 

On October 7, 2023, Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli figures. Israel's retaliation has killed more than 57,000 Palestinians, Gaza's health ministry says, and reduced much of Gaza to rubble. 

The two sides have had two ceasefires - one in November 2023 and another in January 2025- since the fighting started. 

Netanyahu said Israel and Hamas will likely have a 60-day ceasefire, which the two sides could use to try to end the conflict. 

Hamas said on Wednesday there were several sticking points in the ongoing ceasefire talks including the flow of aid, withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, and "genuine guarantees for a permanent ceasefire." 

Netanyahu's interview with Newsmax comes as he wraps his third visit to Washington since President Donald Trump took office in January. 

Speaking of Trump, the Israeli leader said his country has never had "such a friend, such a support of Israel, the Jewish state in the White House." 

Last month, the US joined Israel in striking Iran, a move that Trump has said "obliterated" three of Iran's nuclear sites. 

When asked about a damage assessment, Netanyahu said, "Within months, they could have produced atomic bombs."