Israel has continued its gas extraction operations in contested waters despite threats against it from Hezbollah. Israel and Lebanon each claim the Karish gas field in the Eastern Mediterranean is part of their respective exclusive economic zone. Hezbollah sought to disrupt Israeli operations by sending drones toward an Israeli rig in late June and early July, but they were quickly shot down. In line with the thinking of the Lebanese government, Hezbollah General-Secretary Hassan Nasrallah sees proceeds from gas extraction as a means of mitigating Lebanon's financial struggles, and has recently said that no one will be able to capitalize on the field if Lebanon cannot.
For now, Hezbollah's threats are mainly just words. Though it will continue to use rhetoric to maintain its political legitimacy as the defender of disputed territory on behalf of the whole of Lebanon, its forces remain tied up in Syria. Moreover, starting a conflict with Israel would worsen Lebanon's major economic crisis and could see the Israeli military cause considerable damage in Lebanon. Meanwhile, Iran, Hezbollah's sponsor, does not appear interested in a major Levantine crisis while U.S.-Iran nuclear talks are ongoing. These constraints aside, simmering regional tensions mean Hezbollah's provocations could still inadvertently spark Israeli retaliation.
