The Gas Deal Returns to the Table: The Economic Bomb Hidden in the Secret Annex with Lebanon

Reports in Lebanon reveal a secret annex to the agreement with Israel, including a demand for the complete disarmament of Hezbollah, its outlawing, and the dismantling of its institutions. The document also includes a mechanism for identifying the organization's operatives and preventing their return to their communities. Meanwhile, the US demands opening direct economic negotiations between Israel and Lebanon, resolving the Rosh HaNikra dispute, and advancing a plan to turn Haifa Port into an export hub for Europe. The reports are based on unofficial sources.

Reports in Lebanon, attributed to sources in the Lebanese arena, reveal a secret annex to the agreement between Israel and Lebanon, dealing with the dismantling of Hezbollah's capabilities. According to the reports, the annex is not limited to the military branch in the south of the country, but demands the complete cessation of the organization's activity, its outlawing, and the dismantling of all its institutions throughout Lebanon. The demand includes collecting weapons, dismantling military infrastructure, and eliminating all operational capabilities. Additionally, Israel and the US seek to advance a mechanism for identifying Hezbollah operatives, its commanders, and its people in the south, in order to map them and prevent their return to their communities, including in trial areas. The reports note that the trial areas outline has not yet succeeded, partly due to Israel's refusal to withdraw from the Yellow Line area, which it seeks to turn into a security or economic zone. Meanwhile, the reports address the economic dimension: the US demands opening a direct economic negotiation track between Lebanon and Israel, resolving the Rosh HaNikra dispute, and advancing a mega-plan to turn Haifa Port into an export hub for Europe. Also raised is the possibility of changing the legal framework between the countries, including repealing laws that define Israel as an enemy state, although some of the arrangements are anchored in the Lebanese constitution and require a constitutional amendment. As of now, there is no official confirmation from any of the countries.