Israel says 'not negotiating with Nasrallah' as Baabda, Ain el-Tineh optimistic

Israeli Energy Minister Karen Elharrar said Thursday that Israel is not negotiating with Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah over sea border demarcation with Lebanon.

"We are conducting those negotiations through U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein," Elharrar said in a radio interview, hoping an agreement will be reached between Israel and Lebanon.

Baabda sources meamwhile told OTV that the presidential palace is "waiting to hear what U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein will carry regarding Israel's stance."

"The general impression is that there is a desire to activate the sea border demarcation file and finalize it before September," the sources added.

Sources close to Speaker Nabih Berri also said that "there are positive indications that have been informed to the relevant officials."

"But we have to wait," the sources added.