Thread by @jhaboush, Thread on #US efforts to resolve border dispute between #Lebanon and Israel [...]

Thread on #US efforts to resolve border dispute between #Lebanon and Israel after years of trying. #Israel says talks on maritime border to begin next month. No comment from

yet. David Schenker had said he would head to Beirut for the announcement. https://apnews.com/c7524b206cfbcdab151e50ba15f0b166

Israel to hold US-mediated talks with Lebanon on sea border

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel will hold rare talks with Lebanon next month in an effort to resolve a longstanding maritime border dispute, an Israeli official said Saturday. The official said...

https://apnews.com/c7524b206cfbcdab151e50ba15f0b166

sources said that the agreement was reached during Schenker’s previous visit to Beirut but its announcement was delayed for unknown reasons.

The significance of this is that

is one of the few ME countries still technically at war with Israel. https://www.mei.edu/publications/resolving-lebanese-israeli-border-dispute-whats-it-washington

Resolving the Lebanese-Israeli border dispute: What’s in it for Washington?

On Sept. 25, Lebanese President Michel Aoun told the UN General Assembly that Lebanon is prepared to welcome any country’s help in demarcating its land and maritime borders. He was referring to...

https://www.mei.edu/publications/resolving-lebanese-israeli-border-dispute-whats-it-washington

#Hezbollah has been the main opponent of reaching any deal with Tel Aviv, demanding the demarcation of land and maritime borders simultaneously. The Iran-backed group softened its stance after the Beirut explosions and popular protests.

https://english.alarabiya.net/en/amp/News/middle-east/2020/08/10/Hezbollah-softens-stance-on-Israel-maritime-border-dispute-after-Lebanese-rage

The main sticking points have been:
• Lebanon wants demarcation of land + maritime borders together
• Lebanon wants UN-headed talks with US participation/observation. Israel has been against

mediation
•

does not want a timeline for final agreement, while Israel does

Three different US envoys attempted to reach a deal (Hoff, Hochstein, Satterfield). Rex Tillerson also attempted to step in, but that was short lived and empty handed. Deal now would ONLY be the framework for actually negotiating the border.

https://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2018/Feb-16/438199-tillerson-offers-new-dispute-resolution-proposals-aoun.ashx

David Schenker took over the mediation efforts in 2019 and was more aggressive/stern with both sides.
https://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2019/Sep-12/491477-decide-on-border-talks-with-israel-nonchalant-schenker-says.ashx

Having been following this closely since 2016, it is not the first time both sides say the “deal for a deal” is almost complete.
https://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2019/Jul-25/488330-berri-upbeat-on-border-dispute-with-israel.ashx

But there seems to be movement from both sides this time around. It remains unclear now if #Hezbollah will be pressured by Tehran to renege/wait for #USElection2020 after seeing US-brokered deals btwn Arab countries and Israel.

https://english.alarabiya.net/en/amp/2020/09/08/Lebanon-Israel-getting-closer-to-negotiating-disputed-borders-US-official

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