Israeli PM Yair Lapid told U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein that his government wants to finish negotiations with Lebanon over the maritime border as soon as possible.
The head-to-head talk between Lapid and Hochstein took place last week while American president Joe Biden was visiting Israel.
An American news website said that Hochstein is optimistic about reaching a deal in the near future.
Earlier, Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah threatened Israel with military escalation if a future deal over the disputed maritime border is not in Lebanon’s favor.
Lebanese officials stated that the Karish gas field is disputed territory under ongoing maritime border negotiations, whereas Israel claims it lies within its internationally recognized economic waters.
Negotiations between Lebanon and Israel over the maritime borders started in October 2020, with U.S.-mediated talks in southern Lebanon.
Starting in late 2021, Amos Hochstein took over the mediation and resorted to shuttle diplomacy with visits to both Lebanon and Israel.
Related: Lebanon-Israel Maritime Border Accord Expected To Be Finalized In September
