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


The significance of this is that

#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
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
• Lebanon wants demarcation of land + maritime borders together
• Lebanon wants UN-headed talks with US participation/observation. Israel has been against

•

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