Israel and Lebanon have reached a historic agreement on their maritime border, a development confirmed by Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid. The pact resolves a long‑standing dispute over gas‑rich waters in the eastern Mediterranean and marks a milestone for energy cooperation and regional stability.
Lapid described the accord as a historic achievement that will bolster Israel’s security, attract billions of dollars to the Israeli economy, and contribute to greater stability along the northern border. He stressed that the agreement aligns with core economic and security principles guiding Israel’s regional policy.
He announced plans to convene the Security Cabinet and then call a special government session to grant final approval to the draft framework. In recent days, the prime minister presented the proposal’s foundational elements to the Security Cabinet, outlining a draft drawn up with the mediation of the United States envoy Amos Hochstein. Lebanon’s responses and proposals in this phase had drawn intense scrutiny, and some shifts nearly jeopardized the talks.
To keep the negotiations on track, the two sides engaged in a period of intensive dialogue over the weekend. Through Hochstein’s mediation, a draft emerged that proved acceptable to both parties, paving the way for a final agreement.
Lebanese President Michel Aoun described the final draft as satisfactory for Lebanon, noting that it protects the nation’s natural wealth rights at a time when Lebanon faces one of its most severe economic crises and struggles to provide adequate electricity to its citizens. The presidency stated that the president viewed the proposal as meeting Lebanon’s long‑standing demands, which had been discussed over recent months, and that significant time and effort had gone into difficult and complex negotiations.
During a meeting with Lebanon’s representative in the talks, along with Deputy Speaker of Parliament Elias Bou Saab, a copy of the draft agreement was shared. The accord seeks to resolve the dispute over roughly 860 square kilometers (330 square miles) in the Mediterranean, an area that includes the Karish and Qana gas fields. Under the terms, Israel would begin to exploit the Karish field while Lebanon would proceed with development of the Qana field, signaling a potential shift in regional energy dynamics and economic prospects. This frame of understanding is presented as a pathway to economic relief for both nations and a model for future cooperation in the energy sector in the region [Source: official statements and briefings].