Production at the Tamar gas field, situated off Israel’s southern coast, is being halted, according to a statement from the energy ministry on Monday, amidst three days of regional violence.
Chevron, the field’s operator, has confirmed compliance with the ministry’s directive to cease operations at the site, which is located approximately 25 kilometers from the city of Ashdod on the southern Mediterranean coast of Israel.
Despite the suspension at Tamar, the Leviathan field, Israel’s largest offshore gas facility, remains in regular operation, as per Chevron.
Chevron has a 25% ownership in the Tamar field, Isramco possesses 28.75%, Mubadala Petroleum of the UAE owns 22%, Tamar Petroleum has 16.75%, Dor Gas has 4%, and Everest holds 3.5%. The country will explore alternative energy sources to fulfill its requirements during this suspension.
Amid the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israeli forces, Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has ordered a “complete siege” on the Gaza Strip.
“We are putting a complete siege on Gaza … No electricity, no food, no water, no gas – it’s all closed,” Gallant said in a video statement, referring to the crowded enclave that is home to 2.3 million people.
Gallant said: “We are fighting human animals and we are acting accordingly.”
Russia affirmed that creating a Palestinian state is the “most reliable” solution for peace and that fighting terrorism alone would not ensure security.
Creating a “Palestinian state that would live side by side with Israel.. is the most reliable path to solve (the conflict),” Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said. “We cannot agree with those who say that security can only be ensured through a fight with terrorism”.
Lavrov was speaking at a news conference in Moscow alongside Arab League chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit.
