Israel readies for possible Hezbollah attack on gas rig

Israeli naval vessels will protect the drilling platform in the disputed maritime region amid protracted border demarcation dispute with Lebanon and concerns terror group would act out on past threats
i24NEWS|
The Israeli military is readying for a possible attack by Lebanon’s Shiite group Hezbollah on the Energean gas rig off of Israel’s Mediterranean coast, Hebrew media reported Sunday.
  • Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter

  • According to Kan public broadcaster, Israeli navy vessels will help secure the drilling platform, which entered a disputed maritime zone between Israel and Lebanon.
    2 View gallery
    אסדת כריש
    אסדת כריש
    Gas rig en route to Karish offshore natural gas field
    (Photo: Energean)
    The new gas rig arrived at the Karish site on Sunday and is expected to drill gas for Israel in the coming months.
    In response to the rig’s arrival, Lebanon’s President Michel Aoun warned Israel against any “aggressive action” in the disputed waters where both states hope to develop offshore energy.
    “Any action or activity in the disputed area represents a provocation and a hostile act,” Aoun’s office said.
    Bassam Yasin, the head of Lebanon’s negotiations delegation, said “a response is in the hands of the state and Hezbollah,” Kan reported.
    2 View gallery
    United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon vehicles are stationed along the main road near Lebanon's southern town of Naqoura close to the border with Israel, on May 4, 2021
    United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon vehicles are stationed along the main road near Lebanon's southern town of Naqoura close to the border with Israel, on May 4, 2021
    United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon vehicles are stationed along the main road near Lebanon's southern town of Naqoura close to the border with Israel, on May 4, 2021
    (Photo: AFP)
    The Walla! News site quoted an unnamed senior Israeli on Sunday as saying that Lebanon’s claims to the site “contradict the positions that Lebanon itself presented in the past.”
    Israel says the field in question is within its exclusive economic zone, not in disputed waters. A naval version of Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense systems, along with submarines, will reportedly protect the rig.
    The United States began mediating indirect talks between the sides in 2000 to settle a long-running dispute between old foes that has obstructed energy exploration in the eastern Mediterranean.

    Reprinted with permission from i24NEWS.
    Comments
    The commenter agrees to the privacy policy of Ynet News and agrees not to submit comments that violate the terms of use, including incitement, libel and expressions that exceed the accepted norms of freedom of speech.
    ""