Link to article: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/lebanon-says-israeli-gunboats-violate-its-territorial-waters-army-statement-2022-10-16/
On October 15th, The Lebanese military stated that Israeli gunboats violated Lebanese territorial waters up to four times. Israel has denied these accusations. The statement claimed that the Israeli gunboats ventured several hundred meters into Lebanese waters, and that Lebanon was currently talking with a United Nations interim force in regards to the incidents. The Israeli response to these allegations was a statement from its military which stated that “there was no crossing of Lebanese maritime borders by Israeli forces” This is surprising news with Lebanon and Israel having worked out a deal brokered by the US just a few days before that laid out their respective maritime rights. Lebanon has accused Israel of entering its aerospace many times over the years with drones and jet aircraft engaged in reconnaissance activity.
If the maritime border deal is finalised, the agreement – hailed by Lebanon, Israel and the United States alike as a historic achievement – would mark the first diplomatic departure from decades of war and hostility between both countries as well as usher in a new era of offshore energy exploration between Lebanon and Israel. This new event could throw a wrench in the whole plan if it causes Lebanon to back out. This is unlikely however as Lebanon is desperate for fuel to help overcome the energy crisis it currently finds itself in. The investigation will reveal whether or not Israel did indeed cross Lebanon’s maritime borders and if further action is warranted, or if the issue can simply be dismissed and negotiations between both countries continue undismayed
This relates to class in reference to international relations when looking at IGO’s. The United Nations have stepped in to oversee the investigation to prove whether or not the Israeli gunboats ventured into Lebanese waters, or if the accusations are untrue. They are also the ones overseeing the deal between both nations on the maritime borders between Israel and Lebanon. The United Nations is the biggest and most prominent IGO in existence and includes members states from around the world. it makes major decisions and recognises or chooses not to recognise different states and nations. It acts as a mediator on issues between member states and helps to work them out in effective an fair ways.