Egyptian Gas to Lebanon: Between the Israeli Narrative and Reality
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Israeli Media is using an Israeli narrative to make it seem like the gas Lebanon will obtain from Egypt is Israeli, presenting the issue in a manner that would offend both countries. So why is that?
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Why is "Israel" insisting on interfering in the export of Egyptian gas to Lebanon?
As soon as Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah announced that Hezbollah was importing fuel from Iran to help Lebanon overcome its fuel crisis, the US Ambassador to Beirut was quick to announce that Washington was allowing Lebanon to import natural gas from Egypt and electricity from Jordan.
Although this had a hint of US admittance to their blockade imposed on Lebanon, no official denounced Shea's announcement - on the contrary, several Lebanese officials and parties warmly welcomed the 'gesture.'
"Tel Aviv" did not want this so-called gesture to pass with no obstruction, and that is the reason behind Israeli media insinuating that the natural gas Lebanon would import from Egypt is Israeli.
Israeli media made sure to present the topic offensively to both Beirut and Cairo - the Israeli narrative could also be aiming to destabilize Lebanon and cause strife.
The question to be asked here is the following: what is the Israeli goal behind their interference in a deal between Egypt and Lebanon?
Israeli media convinced its supporters that "Israel" has a role in getting Egyptian gas to Lebanon, as part of US President Joe Biden's plan, Ismail Moslimani, an expert on Israeli affairs, told Al Mayadeen.
According to Moslimani, the gas supposed to come from Egypt will be replaced by Syrian gas, and Beirut would obtain natural gas from Damascus.
Moslimani underscored that Lebanon's crisis should be discussed in the Arab League. The expert explained that Saudi Arabia is punishing Lebanon and the Lebanese people instead of helping them.
Importing Israeli gas to Lebanon remains unacceptable, and a former Egyptian minister announced that Cairo does not import gas from any foreign party.
Additionally, Syria would not allow for Israeli gas to pass through its soil, Ziyad Nassereddine, an economic expert, told Al Mayadeen. Cairo is perfectly capable of sending Egyptian gas to Lebanon through an Arab pipeline, citing a 'disaster' in the case that Israeli gas makes it to Beirut after the occupation prevented Lebanon from extracting natural gas from its own territorial waters.
The Egyptian statement followed the Israeli attempts at disrupting the US-'brokered' deal that would help Lebanon hold its ground in the energy crisis it is currently facing.
We also must not forget that Cairo has no agreement with "Tel Aviv" on the trade of natural gas, and Egypt has been self-efficient in gas since 2018.
The energy ministers of Egypt, Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon, had also agreed in August to present an action plan and a timetable for implementing the transfer of Egyptian gas to Lebanon.
