Israel intercepts Hezbollah drones scouting gas field

Israel has intercepted three unarmed drones from Lebanon over the Mediterranean Sea, escalating tensions in a long-standing maritime border dispute between the two countries.

The Israeli Defence Force (IDF) said it intercepted the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as they approached "Israel's economic waters" on 2 July. "An initial inquiry suggests that the UAVs did not pose any imminent threat," the IDF said.

Lebanese Islamist group Hezbollah circulated a statement saying the drones were on a reconnaissance mission at the "disputed" Karish gas field, which is being developed by London-listed oil and gas firm Energean. "The task has been accomplished and the message has been received," the statement said. Argus was not able to independently confirm the statement.

Energean acquired the 32bn m³ Karish field along with the 22.4bn m³ Tanin gas field from Israeli firms Delek Drilling and Avner Oil in 2016. Isreal says Karish is part of its exclusive economic zone, but Lebanon says it is in disputed waters.

A floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel — Energean Power — arrived at the Karish field on 5 June, prompting a warning from Lebanon that any exploration, excavation or extraction activities in disputed areas by Israel would constitute an act of aggression.

Energean said operations were not been disrupted by the drones. "Energean Power's operational routine was not disturbed. The company has, as always, full confidence in the Israeli government and in the Israeli security capability."

By Ruxandra Iordache