Lebanon will pay the price for Nasrallah's mistake, Israel's Defence Minist

Beirut: “If Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah wants to damage the Karish project, he should do so. But keep in mind that Lebanon will have to pay the price,” warned Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz. Israel and Lebanon are in talks to resolve the dispute over the Karish fuel plant in the Mediterranean Sea. But the head of Hezbollah has constantly been threatening to attack the Karish project in Israel’s territory. Israel’s Defense Minister gave this warning in response to Nasrallah’s threats.

Speaking at an anti-terrorism seminar organized by Reichman University in Israel, Defense Minister Gantz informed about ongoing discussions between the governments of Israel and Lebanon. This discussion has been ongoing for the past few days with the mediation of the US. Gantz said that if the Karish project in the Mediterranean Sea would benefit Israel and Lebanon financially and in terms of fuel, Israel is ready for it. The discussions over the issue held till Sunday are claimed to have been a success.

But Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah had opposed the ongoing talks between the governments of Israel and Lebanon over the Karish project. The Hezbollah chief had claimed Lebanon had full rights over the Karish area and the ongoing excavations here. At the same time, Nasrallah threatened to attack the Israeli project and ships if Israel did not relinquish its authority over the region. A few days ago, the Israeli Navy shot down a Hezbollah attack drone travelling towards the Karish project.

Against this backdrop, Defense Minister Gantz issued a warning to Hezbollah, citing ongoing discussions with Lebanon regarding the project. Gantz explained that Israel is ready to secure the Karish project within Israeli territory, with all Israeli systems alert and prepared for a counterattack. Israel’s National Security Adviser Eyal Hulata also supported ongoing talks with the Lebanese government. Hulata explained that Israel’s goal in the negotiations is to bring stability to Lebanon and reduce Hezbollah’s influence.
Israel and Lebanon claim the 860-square-kilometre Karish fuel field, which stretches across the Mediterranean Sea. Of these, Israel has started extracting fuel gas from the area within its territory. Israel had given a license to a British company for this. But Lebanon had accused Israel of violating their maritime domain by starting excavations in these disputed waters. The US began mediating between Israel and Lebanon in this dispute.

Meanwhile, Israeli analysts are warning that Hezbollah’s terrorists are preparing to launch attacks on Israel. Hezbollah terrorists have attempted a drone strike on the Karish project in the past few weeks. These terrorists had even tried to infiltrate the Israeli border. The incidents are claimed to have increased after the head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards met with the Hezbollah chief.