Video footage of a drone over the weekend being shot down by Israel. (Credit: Video released by @AvichayAdraee on Twitter)
BEIRUT — Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati on Monday, in a joint statement with Foreign Affairs Minister Abdallah Bou Habib, condemned an operation done by Hezbollah on Saturday to send three unarmed drones towards the disputed Karish offshore gas field saying that "any act outside the responsibility of the government and the diplomatic path in which the [maritime border] negotiations is happening is not acceptable and and poses risks that are avoidable."
Here’s what we know:
• On Saturday, Hezbollah announced in a statement that it launched three unarmed drones in a reconnaissance mission. It also said that the drones "have achieved the mission required, and sent the right message." On Sunday, the Israeli Army said it intercepted the three drones.
• In a press briefing following a meeting with Bou Habib to primarily discuss the outcome of the Arab League meeting which was held in Lebanon on Saturday, both urged "all parties to behave with high national responsibility and abide by what has been agreed before which is that that everyone without exception are behind the government in the [maritime borders] negotiations process."
• Their joint statement also said that Lebanon "calls again for the stopping of the continuous Israeli violations through land, sea and air" — which, according to a study, violated Lebanese airspace more than 22,100 times since 2007.
• Also on Monday, Hezbollah’s ally, the Amal Movement, said in a statement that Lebanon should "activate all of its powerful resources" to protect its potential natural gas assets.
• On June 5, Israel deployed a floating production, storage and offloading vessel to the disputed Karish offshore gas field, causing tensions with the Lebanese side.