Lebanon, Israel Banking on US Intervention to Resolve Border Disputes

A UN peacekeeper of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon stands on United Nation's post in Houla village near the Lebanese-Israeli border, in southern Lebanon, Aug. 26, 2020. (Reuters)
A UN peacekeeper of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon stands on United Nation's post in Houla village near the Lebanese-Israeli border, in southern Lebanon, Aug. 26, 2020. (Reuters)
TT
20

Lebanon, Israel Banking on US Intervention to Resolve Border Disputes

A UN peacekeeper of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon stands on United Nation's post in Houla village near the Lebanese-Israeli border, in southern Lebanon, Aug. 26, 2020. (Reuters)
A UN peacekeeper of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon stands on United Nation's post in Houla village near the Lebanese-Israeli border, in southern Lebanon, Aug. 26, 2020. (Reuters)

Disputes have emerged between Lebanon and Israel over the demarcation of their shared marine border. The pair had met on Wednesday for the fourth round of their indirect talks on the demarcation of the potentially gas-rich area.

The talks were described as “tense” after Israel made a “provocative” new proposal that takes more of Lebanese marine waters, revealed Lebanese sources closely informed on the negotiations.

Both sides met in the Ras Naqoura, the southwestern-most point in Lebanon. The talks are being sponsored by the United Nations and mediated by the United States.

The sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that Israel’s latest proposal “was not based on any legal ground.” Lebanon, meanwhile, had presented valid documents, maps and legal, topographic, historic and geographic evidence to back its border claims during the second round of talks.

This evidence backs its claim over 2,290 square kilometers south of the border line claimed by Israel. This line was approved during a truce between Lebanon and Israel in 1949.

The Israeli side responded to this proposal on Wednesday by submitting new maps that eat away at large chunks of Lebanese territorial waters. They do acknowledge Lebanon’s claim over parts of the Karish gas field.

The sources revealed that Israel’s new proposal takes parts of the offshore blocs 5, 9 and 10.

“The fourth round of talks were tense because Lebanon is basing its claims on the Law of the Sea, while Israel is not basing its claims on any legal grounds,” said the sources, refusing to delve into any more details into the discussions.

“It is natural for tensions to emerge, but the Lebanese delegation is holding its ground and is completely committed to its rights by adhering to international law,” they added.

Both sides are banking on the American mediator to facilitate the talks and smooth over any disputes.

The next round of talks will be held in December, a joint statement from the United States and the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon said, as did Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz in a separate communique.

Israel already pumps gas from huge offshore fields but Lebanon, which has yet to find commercial gas reserves in its own waters, is desperate for cash from foreign donors as it faces the worst economic crisis since its 1975-1990 civil war.



UN Agency Says Israel Shuts 4 Schools in East Jerusalem

A boy stands outside the gate of the Kalandia vocational training center (KTC), run by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), which was raided by Israeli forces earlier at the Qalandiya camp for Palestinian refugees in the occupied West Bank on February 18, 2025. (AFP)
A boy stands outside the gate of the Kalandia vocational training center (KTC), run by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), which was raided by Israeli forces earlier at the Qalandiya camp for Palestinian refugees in the occupied West Bank on February 18, 2025. (AFP)
TT
20

UN Agency Says Israel Shuts 4 Schools in East Jerusalem

A boy stands outside the gate of the Kalandia vocational training center (KTC), run by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), which was raided by Israeli forces earlier at the Qalandiya camp for Palestinian refugees in the occupied West Bank on February 18, 2025. (AFP)
A boy stands outside the gate of the Kalandia vocational training center (KTC), run by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), which was raided by Israeli forces earlier at the Qalandiya camp for Palestinian refugees in the occupied West Bank on February 18, 2025. (AFP)

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees says Israeli forces raided four of its schools in east Jerusalem, ordering their closure.

Israel has severed all ties with the agency, known as UNRWA, and bars it from operating in its territory. It says the agency allowed itself to be infiltrated by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, allegations denied by UN officials.

UNRWA said police entered a training center by force on Tuesday, firing tear gas and sound grenades and ordering its evacuation. It said 350 students and 30 staff were present during the raid on the Qalandiya Training Center.

It said police and city officials ordered the closure of three other schools in east Jerusalem, two of which proceeded with the school day.

Israeli police spokesman Dean Elsdunne said police did not enter the UN buildings and that Jerusalem municipal authorities carried out the closures. He said police were deployed to protect the city workers, using “riot dispersal” means in one case where a crowd threw stones at them outside a UN facility.

Roland Friedrich, UNRWA director for the occupied West Bank, including east Jerusalem, said the raids were an “unacceptable violation of United Nations privileges and immunities,” and a “denial of the right to education for children and trainees.”