A deserted post for the Lebanese army is seen in Naqoura, near the Lebanese-Israeli border, southern Lebanon, Oct. 6, 2022.(Credit: REUTERS/Aziz Taher)
BEIRUT — Lebanon and Israel are at "a critical stage" in negotiations to demarcate their shared maritime border and "gaps have narrowed," a US official said on Thursday.
"We remain committed to reaching a resolution and believe a lasting compromise is possible," the official said.
The draft deal, which was not made public, enjoyed a warm preliminary reception from the Israeli and Lebanese governments. But amid domestic opposition in both countries, Lebanon on Tuesday sought several amendments from the US envoy Amo Hochstein, who heads the indirect negotiations between the two states.
On Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid "was updated on the details of the substantial changes Lebanon is seeking to make in the agreement and instructed the negotiating team to reject them," an Israeli official said.
Later that evening, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz ordered the Israeli Defense Forces to prepare for an "escalation" on the northern border with Lebanon. The IDF was instructed to "prepare for a scenario of escalation in the north, both offensively and defensively," according to a statement from Gantz's office.
Reporting contributed by Timour Azhari.