Israel’s plans to explore for gas off the coast of Gaza have drawn condemnation from rights groups and environmental advocates.
Since 2024, Israel has granted exploration licences for natural gas in areas considered part of Palestine’s maritime boundary off Gaza’s shores.
In February, energy minister Eli Cohen approved Israel’s fifth offshore gas licensing round in the Mediterranean.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, the plan would allow energy companies to explore around 8,600 square kilometres of sea, divided into six search zones.
Adalah, a Haifa-based legal centre focused on Palestinian rights, said two of the six zones fall within recognised Palestinian maritime territory off Gaza. The group said Israel’s previous offshore licensing round had also encroached on Palestinian waters.
