A spokesman for the US National Security Council told Al Jazeera that “an agreement between Lebanon and Israel on maritime borders is still possible,” noting that “American mediator Amos Hochstein continues his efforts with the Israeli and Lebanese sides.” .” “.

Earlier, former Assistant Secretary of State for Middle East Affairs David Schenker pointed out that the chances of a war between Israel and Hezbollah “remain very high” despite progress in an agreement to demarcate the border between Lebanon and Israel.

In an interview with Israel’s i24news channel, Schenker pointed out that the proposal presented by US State Department Senior Energy Security Adviser Amos Hochstein “does nothing to ease or reduce tensions along the Blue Line where Hezbollah is drilling,” given that the “deal may delay the conflict, but it does not guarantee Israel’s security.”

He continued: “I think Lebanon will be very pleased because there was a conflict zone between one line and the 23rd line. It appears that Israel has agreed to basically abandon the 23% line, as Lebanon demanded, in addition to negotiations. Qana field.” This is Israel’s buffer zone seven kilometers away and maybe a bit of calm and removal of one area of ​​conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, but I think overall it looks like a very good deal for Lebanon.”

He expressed his belief that “the most important thing that seems to be the most important thing for this government or interim government and for Israel right now is the settlement of one of its border disputes with Lebanon, as it is a priority, and that Israel has a lot of energy, and it is not clear whether this will matter in terms of stability either in the economic zone or in the blue line, and I think it is still unlikely.”

He added: “I think this is a rare foreign policy victory for the administration of President Joe Biden, and it helps alleviate some winter deficits in Europe, but in practice he will not produce gas from Lebanese fields. for at least five years, and I think it should be said even for the Lebanese who have been negotiating so hard to get Qana, there are no known reserves, so let’s see if they get something like that.”