Despite claims of gas reserves ‘theft’, maps drawn up by Lebanon, Cyprus show Israel relinquished large area in sea

Amir Ben David
Published: 10.07.10, 13:42

While Lebanon claims Israel “stole” some of its natural gas reserves and “invaded” its territorial waters, it appears the Israeli border drawn up in Lebanese maps is further to the north than determined by Israel, Yedioth Ahronoth reported Wednesday.

Consequently, it appears that not only did Israel not seize Lebanese maritime zones, but in fact relinquished some of its own waters.

After the discovery of the Tamar gas site and reports of gas reserves in the Leviathan site, Lebanon claimed that some of the reserves are located within Lebanese territory. However, Lebanese maps paint a wholly different picture.

While Lebanon’s conflict with Israel does not allow the two countries to jointly examine their borders. This is not the case with Cyprus. Hence, Lebanon and Cyprus have conducted a joint examination of their territorial waters, a move that also demarcated the two countries’ border with Israel.

According to Cypriot naval maps, a line stretched from Rosh Hanikra to the joint Lebanese-Cypriot border is further to the north than the line drawn by Israel.

Yedioth Ahronoth previously reported that Israel and Cyprus are secretly engaged in jointly mapping out their maritime border.
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