Israel’s government approved June 23 a decision to search for oil and natural gas in a maritime area known as "Block 72" (formally known as "Alon D"), a disputed sea area located near the north of the country, and not far from Lebanon. The decision enabled the launching of an offshore bidding round that should last several months. The closing date for bids is set for Sept. 23, and the successful bidder will be announced at the end of October.

Israel and Lebanon have been engaged in a dispute over their maritime borders for several years now. Thus, the June 23 decision generated a harsh Lebanese reaction. President Michel Aoun warned July 2 that the decision to start oil and gas explorations in Block 72 is “extremely dangerous," insisting that Lebanon will not allow others to encroach upon its internationally recognized waters. He also called upon Lebanon’s Supreme Court to convene over the issue.

The two countries have known two wars and decades of bloody conflicts. With Hezbollah engaged in an arms race to produce precision missiles, fears are growing for another escalation in the region. On May 6, Israel’s envoy to the United Nations Danny Danon asked the UN Security Council to extend and enlarge the mission of UNIFIL forces in Lebanon. Security experts warn that the maritime dispute could escalate these existing tensions.

The bilateral maritime dispute goes back several years. In 2009, an Israel-US consortium discovered the Tamar offshore natural gas field. In 2010, natural gas was also discovered in an adjacent offshore field named Leviathan. Both fields are located near Israel’s northern shore. These discoveries encouraged more oil and gas searches. Lebanon delineated 10 maritime zones — or blocks — where oil and gas could potentially be discovered. The problem was — and still is — that both countries have never agreed on their maritime border.