OPEC to cut 2 million barrels of oil per day, three months after Biden traveled to Saudi Arabia asking MBS to boost production.

By: @‌‌‎LucasFoxNews

Lebanon has sent the US crucial changes on the maritime deal draft that will play a key role in protecting Lebanon's resources and rights.

The new draft will be studied by the Israeli government today.

⋯ Hebrew online newspaper Ynet:: "If the Lebanese tighten their conditions, there will be no maritime delimitation agreement before the Israeli elections"

⋯ Lebanon proposed seven amendments to the US draft:

1. Delete the term Blue Line. Lebanon adheres to its international borders.

2. The so-called “line of buoys” is not legal. Lebanon talks of a “de facto situation”, rather than a “status quo”.

3. The “possible southern Sidon reservoir” is explicitly renamed “Sidon-Qana field”. It will be “developed by Lebanon and for the benefit of Lebanon”.

4. Companies that will operate in the blocks shall not be “subject to international sanctions” (the draft mentioned only US sanctions), and “are not Israeli or Lebanese”.

5. “Israel does not intend to object to any measures taken in the Qana field beyond Line 23” is amended with: “Israel does not and will not object”. There shall be no prior agreement between Israel and the companies.

6. Lebanon objected to the word “financial compensation”, but there will be a financial settlement between the operating company and Israel, of which Lebanon is not a party. If such an agreement is delayed, it should “not affect the work” in Lebanon.

7. “The US is committed to facilitating the work of companies directly and quickly, immediately upon the completion of the delimitation agreement” (more emphasis added).

🚨 Israel officially rejects all of Lebanon's changes to the maritime agreement!

⋯ A senior Israeli official - Reported by Barak Ravid:

"Prime Minister Lapid made it clear that Israel will not compromise on its security and economic interests, even if that means that there will be no agreement soon"

⋯ The senior Israeli official added: "Israel will produce gas from the Karish rig as soon as it is possible to do so"

"If Hezbollah or anyone else tries to damage the Karish rig or threaten us - the negotiations will stop immediately."

Israeli opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu:

"The pressure I exerted caused Lapid to withdraw from the agreement and not surrender to Hezbullah."

⋯ Netanyahu:

"Israel needs a different leadership, an experienced and strong prime minister who resists pressure and does not bend in the face of threats. We will not let Israel surrender to Nasrallah."

⋯ According to Israeli media, the significant demand from Lebanon is that it doesn't want to recognize the “line of buoys” - which the Lapid govt sees as the major security issue and achievement in the negotiation.

The line of buoys is a security obstacle Israel set up in the sea, extending 5 ⁠km into the sea from Rosh Hanikra (Ras Al-Naqoura), continuing from the land border with Lebanon.

The US draft would grant it official recognition.

Israeli army radio: War Minister Benny Gantz ordered the Israel army to raise its readiness in the northern border after the talks with Lebanon entered a deadlock.

⋯ Heads of the northern Israeli settlement Councils are angry at Gantz's announcement:

"How can something like this be published in the media without coordination with us? People are in hysteria."

Lebanon has recorded its first case of cholera since 1993, in Akkar - Reuters

Israeli jets are reported over the occupied Golan Heights and south Lebanon.

The Israeli security cabinet has concluded its meeting after 4 hours.

⋯ The Israeli cabinet officially votes against the deal after Lebanon requested changes, and approves plans for a pre-emptive strike if credible information is available that Hezbullah plans to attack.

⋯ Lapid and Gantz have been granted authority for escalation and war-time decision making without the need to consult with the cabinet again.