Secret clauses in Lebanon gas deal reveal hidden economic bombshell, US demands major concessions

A confidential annex to a proposed agreement with Lebanon reportedly contains significant economic implications that could reshape regional dynamics in the Middle East, according to Israeli sources familiar with the negotiations. The undisclosed section of the deal addresses longstanding disputes over natural gas reserves and maritime boundaries that have been a source of tension between Israel and Lebanon for years.

The United States is reportedly pushing Israel to reopen negotiations on a comprehensive gas agreement and resolve competing claims over the Nahr al-Qasimiyya maritime zone, an area rich in natural gas deposits. American officials are said to be advocating for a larger strategic initiative that would position Haifa port as a major export hub for European energy markets, fundamentally altering regional trade patterns.

The proposed arrangement would represent a significant shift in Israel’s energy infrastructure and regional economic positioning. Such a development could have substantial implications for Israel’s relationship with neighbouring countries and its role in Eastern Mediterranean energy markets. The negotiations reflect broader geopolitical interests among global powers seeking to reshape energy supply chains in the region.

The secret protocol reportedly attached to any eventual agreement underscores the complexity of resolving maritime disputes in the Eastern Mediterranean, where overlapping territorial claims and energy resources have created persistent friction between neighbouring states. The involvement of US diplomatic pressure suggests Washington views the outcome as strategically important for broader Middle Eastern stability and energy security.

Source: Maariv — Original article in Hebrew.