An Israeli website revealed that Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett is not waiting for Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati. He has begun drilling in the northern part of the Karish field, close to the disputed section between the two sides.

The "Israel Defense" website said that the American oil services company, Halliburton, recently announced the signing of a contract with Energean, a Greek firm, for exploration in the northern section of the Karish field near Block No. 9.  The website reported that the agreement included drilling in 3 to 5 well spots.

The disputed area's surface will increase from 860 to 2890 km2

"Israel Defense" website added that in the previous [indirect] talks with Lebanon in November 2020, Lebanon also wanted to discuss the issue of the Karish field. The website reminded that the new PM Najib Mikati said he wanted to return to the table of negotiations with US mediation.

Control Risks strategic consultancy and risk assessment firm said that the possibility of Lebanon expanding its naval demands will increase the disputed area's surface from 860 to 2890 km2.

The firm added that the new request from Lebanon will include part of the Karish field, which is being developed by companies that obtained licenses from "Israel."

"Israel Defense": Connection of parties in Dubai to exploration in Karish is not surprising

In an article published on the Intelligence Online website, it is revealed that the deal with Halliburton was managed by Zaid Khadra,  the company's head of business in Dubai, and Ahmed Kennawi, a vice-director in London who previously resided in Dubai for 4 years.

The "Israel Defense" website pointed that the connection of parties in Dubai to exploration in Karish is not surprising. It explains that more than a month ago, a deal worth about one billion dollars was concluded between the Israeli Delek Group and the Mubadala Petroleum Fund from Dubai for the development of the Tamar gas field.

Lebanese Presidency: The path of negotiations requires freezing all work related to exploration 

A week ago, the Lebanese Presidency had announced that Israel's signing of contracts to evaluate gas and oil exploration with an American company contradicts the path of indirect negotiations hosted by the United Nations and US mediation. The presidency added that this path requires freezing all work related to exploration in the areas. The dispute is awaiting the resolution of the unconditional negotiation track.

It is noteworthy that Lebanon and the Israeli occupation held 5 rounds of indirect negotiations with the mediation of the United States and the United Nations.