Israel has awarded licenses to six companies, including Italy’s ENI, Dana Petroleum, a UK-based subsidiary of the Korea National Oil Corporation, and Israeli company Ratio Petroleum to areas falling within Palestinian territory.
According to The TRT World, in the middle of Israel’s ongoing assault on Gaza, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right government has quietly doled out licenses to local and international companies to find and extract gas from areas considered to be Palestinian maritime zones. This happened in October, just weeks after Israel launched its war on the enclave, and sparked strong reactions from rights groups and activists who expressed concerns over Israel’s intent to seize Palestinian natural resources. In February, legal centre Adalah sent a letter to the Israeli energy minister, while Foley Hoag, a law firm representing pro-Palestinian organisations such as al Haq, al Mezan Center for Human Rights, and the Palestinian Center for Human Rights, sent notices to the companies awarded the licenses.
Their demands were clear: the licenses should be revoked, any planned exploration halted and a bar on the issuance of more licenses for areas falling within Palestinian maritime territory. While the organisations still await a response, the issue is being raised on international levels. In Italy’s Parliament, the Greens and Left Alliance put forward a resolution to suspend any activity related to Gaza due to the involvement of Italian company ENI. While the resolution did not pass, it led to questions over the government’s stance. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani responded by saying that ENI’s “contract is still being finalised” and there was “currently no exploitation of resources,” according to local media reports. However, that has done little to assuage the fears of rights groups and activists.
Meanwhile, The United States and Israel are planning to hold a virtual meeting to discuss the Biden administration’s alternative proposals to an Israeli military Rafah invasion, Alarabiya reported yesterday. This meeting, which was originally slated for last week, has become a point of contention between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Biden.
Following the US’s decision last week not to veto a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for a Gaza ceasefire and the release of hostages, Netanyahu canceled the meeting in protest. A day later, US officials reported that Netanyahu is discreetly communicating with the White House to reschedule. The announcement led to Netanyahu publicly denying any such delegation’s planned visit.
The Biden administration has expressed concerns that an operation in Rafah, where over a million Palestinians seek refuge, could result in significant casualties and worsen the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Netanyahu’s confidant, Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, has reportedly advised him to expedite the delegation’s visit to Washington to prevent further escalation with Biden.
According to Axios, a senior Israel officials said holding this meeting is a way for Netanyahu to “save face.” The meeting will be conducted via a video conference call, with White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan leading the US delegation. Representing Israel will be Dermer and Netanyahu’s national security adviser Tzachi Hanegbi, along with senior defense and intelligence officials, Axios confirmed.
Despite Netanyahu’s approval of an operational plan for Rafah, including provisions for civilian evacuation and humanitarian aid, he remains adamant about the necessity of an invasion. He asserted that entering Rafah and neutralizing Hamas forces there are essential for victory, Axios added.
Netanyahu’s remarks at a recent press conference emphasized his commitment to the planned operation but refrained from confirming the delegation’s trip to Washington, Axios reported. Instead, he vowed to find a way to engage with the Biden administration on the Rafah issue.
According to Axios, both the White House and the Israeli Prime Minister’s office declined to provide comments on the upcoming meeting.
ZH
