Gantz asks army to be on alert as Lebanon deal falters

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz on Thursday ordered the Israeli army to be on alert in the north amid an apparent setback in the efforts to reach a maritime border deal with Lebanon.

Gantz will hold a situational assessment with the army’s chief of staff and other security officials, after Israel said it will not accept Lebanese amendments to a U.S.-brokered deal, Israeli media reports said.

“The Defense Minister directed the IDF (Israeli army) to prepare for a scenario of escalation in the north, both offensively and defensively, given the developments in the negotiations on the maritime border,” a statement from Gantz’s office said.

Earlier in the day, Gantz had warned that Israel’s “greatest immediate operational challenge” lies on its northern border.

“These days, the government is advancing an agreement on the distribution of economic waters between us and Lebanon, which has economic and security effects, including damage to Iran's interests in Lebanon and the region,” Gantz said.

“Whether the agreement is signed or not, we are prepared to protect our infrastructure and our sovereignty. If Hezbollah seeks to harm them, the military price that the state of Lebanon and Hezbollah will pay will be very heavy,” Gantz warned.