A vessel contracted by Israel to extract gas from a disputed gasfield partly claimed by Lebanon is set to begin production “within weeks”, raising the prospect of another round of conflict between Israeli forces and Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.
The development comes at a time when a US energy envoy who is mediating indirect talks over a disputed maritime boundary between Lebanon and Israel is set to arrive in Beirut in the coming days.
Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Iran-backed Hezbollah, has threatened to attack Israel if extraction from Karish starts before a deal is reached.
Israel and Hezbollah, which is also a political party, are arch enemies and fought a devastating war in 2006.
London-listed Energean, which is operating the production vessel, said in its mid-year review on Thursday that “our flagship Karish project is on track to start production within weeks and will enhance energy security in Israel and the region”.
Nasrallah said on August 9 that “the hand that reaches for any of this wealth will be severed”.
In response, Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz said an attack on Israel's gasfields could “trigger a response”.
The US energy envoy, Amos Hochstein, was last in Beirut in late July for meetings with Lebanese officials, and there has been cautious optimism that a deal could be reached between Lebanon and Israel.
Israel believes the field, about 80 km west of Haifa, is part of its exclusive economic zone, while Lebanon says it lies within the disputed waters.
In the negotiations, which have rumbled on for years, Lebanon had initially demanded 860 square kilometres of territory in the disputed area.
Tension soared in June when Energean moved its vessel close to Karish. In July, Israel shot down three unarmed drones flown by Hezbollah that were heading towards Karish field.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Guns N’ Roses’s last gig before Abu Dhabi was in Hong Kong on November 21. We were there – and here’s what they played, and in what order. You were warned.
- It’s So Easy
- Mr Brownstone
- Chinese Democracy
- Welcome to the Jungle
- Double Talkin’ Jive
- Better
- Estranged
- Live and Let Die (Wings cover)
- Slither (Velvet Revolver cover)
- Rocket Queen
- You Could Be Mine
- Shadow of Your Love
- Attitude (Misfits cover)
- Civil War
- Coma
- Love Theme from The Godfather (movie cover)
- Sweet Child O’ Mine
- Wichita Lineman (Jimmy Webb cover)
- Wish You Were Here (instrumental Pink Floyd cover)
- November Rain
- Black Hole Sun (Soundgarden cover)
- Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (Bob Dylan cover)
- Nightrain
Encore:
- Patience
- Don’t Cry
- The Seeker (The Who cover)
- Paradise City
Cryopreservation: A timeline
- Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
- Ovarian tissue surgically removed
- Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
- Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
- Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
IF YOU GO
The flights: FlyDubai offers direct flights to Catania Airport from Dubai International Terminal 2 daily with return fares starting from Dh1,895.
The details: Access to the 2,900-metre elevation point at Mount Etna by cable car and 4x4 transport vehicle cost around €57.50 (Dh248) per adult. Entry into Teatro Greco costs €10 (Dh43). For more go to www.visitsicily.info
Where to stay: Hilton Giardini Naxos offers beachfront access and accessible to Taormina and Mount Etna. Rooms start from around €130 (Dh561) per night, including taxes.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
